Thriving Springs Therapy

EMDR Therapy in Colorado Springs

Distressing circumstances can leave lasting wounds that impact your emotional well-being and quality of life. Maybe you’ve survived personal trauma or witnessed numerous traumas through your work as a first responder.

If you find yourself grappling with the weight of distressing events, flashbacks, anxiety, or overwhelming emotions, EMDR offers a transformative path forward. Together, we’ll embark on a healing journey, as you discover the power of your brain's innate ability to overcome adversity and embrace a brighter, more hopeful future.

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Understanding EMDR

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What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy approach developed to help individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences, distressing memories, and emotional pain. It was initially designed to address post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but has since been used for various other mental health conditions and challenges. This evidence-based therapy has a growing body of research supporting its effectiveness in helping folks find healing and relief.

EMDR is considered a best practice for PTSD treatment by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.

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How does EMDR work?

This approach uses the brain's natural ability to reprocess traumatic memories and emotions in a more adaptive way. When you’ve experienced trauma, it can be difficult to understand or make sense of what’s happened. You don’t fully process the event, which blocks your healing.

EMDR uses a structured process that involves recalling distressing memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation (E.g. eye movements). This mimics what naturally occurs during Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. Your brain is then able to reprocess traumatic or painful memories, changing how they’re stored in your brain. This then shifts the way you experience that memory and reduces your emotional distress.

Man with PTSD resting his head on his hand near window.

What does EMDR treat?

While most commonly known for its effectiveness in treating trauma, EMDR is used for a variety of conditions including:

Depression
Anxiety
PTSD (Post Traumatic-stress Disorder)
OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
Dissociative disorders
Eating disorders
Personality disorders
Phobias
Grief

Police officer holding their child about to start EMDR Therapy Colorado Springs

What are the benefits of EMDR?

A wide range of benefits of this approach include:

Proven effectiveness in treating PTSD and trauma-related concerns
Reduction of anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares, and emotional distress
Shorter treatment duration compared to traditional talk therapy approaches
Empowers individuals to replace negative beliefs with positive ones, improving self-esteem and mindset