How an EMDR Therapist in Los Angeles Can Help You Heal

By: Dr. Mary Kate Roohan

If you’re still struggling with the aftermath of trauma, know that you’re not alone. Up to 70% of adults in the U.S. have experienced a traumatic event in their lifetime.

Taking the initiative to seek therapy is a courageous first move. Nevertheless, it doesn’t come without difficulty. There are many trauma-informed therapists and therapeutic methods to choose from, and treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all.

One particular scientifically backed therapy is called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). It’s known for allowing individuals to gain a new, nonjudgmental perspective on their unaddressed trauma.

In this article, we’re going to dive into what EMDR is, how it helps, and the benefits of starting treatment with a local EMDR therapist in Los Angeles.

Understanding Trauma: How It Happens and Its Lasting Effects

The term “trauma” is thrown around a lot these days—but what does it actually mean?

As a trauma-informed therapist, I typically explain to my clients that the term originates from the Greek word “τραύμα”, which translates to “wound” in English.

When the wounds left behind by difficult events go untreated, they can cause significant mental and physical suffering.

In a more clinical context, a traumatic response is experienced when an unexpected event (or series of events) makes an individual feel fundamentally unsafe and negatively shakes up their perception of reality.

Photo by Christian Erfurt. A local California therapist can be there for those coping with unaddressed trauma.

Traumatic events overwhelm one’s ability to cope and cause intense feelings of helplessness. These feelings can diminish an individual’s sense of self and their ability to feel the full range of emotions.

Throughout my career as a Pasadena therapist, the general understanding of what causes trauma has evolved.

Now, a wide range of life experiences are considered potential traumatic events. For example, these can include the loss of a loved one, violent acts, chronic misattunement, or living in a marginalized body.

A Closer Look at EMDR Therapy and Trauma

First studied and coined by Francine Shapiro in 1987, EMDR is a psychotherapy technique designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories.

It’s achieved through guided eye movements that cross from left to right in a rhythmic pattern, otherwise known as bilateral stimulation.

EMDR helps desensitize and reframe traumatic experiences by engaging with both hemispheres of the brain. This promotes adaptive healing and reduces distressing symptoms.

You see, our brains tend to latch on to negative events like Velcro. When we experience something traumatic, the event can get stuck in the part of the brain that was activated during the original trauma. EMDR helps the brain move through this unprocessed material.

If you grapple with unresolved, deep-seated trauma, a qualified psychologist in Pasadena can work with you to find relief.

EMDR Therapy Can Help

Many people are carrying the weight of unresolved traumas, and it can manifest in various ways. Here are the most common trauma-related pain points that can be remedied with EMDR therapy:

Attentional Problems

Individuals who have experienced trauma, especially during childhood, often struggle with attention-related issues.

They may find it challenging to focus for extended periods of time or consistently engage in activities. Additionally, these individuals can lose their ability to filter out irrelevant information, leading to more frequent distractions.

Affect Regulation Issues

Traumatized individuals often grapple with regulating their emotions. This can manifest as emotions that are too intense or extreme. On the flip side, emotions may become subdued or muted.

It’s also common that once upset, individuals may have difficulty returning to a calm or neutral state.

Maladaptive Coping Mechanisms

To deal with emotional regulation problems, traumatized individuals might resort to various maladaptive coping strategies such as self-harm, substance abuse, or eating disorders.

An EMDR therapist in Los Angeles can help address maladaptive coping, like substance abuse.

Relationship Challenges

Trauma, especially when it’s inflicted by a trusted individual, can lead to a skewed perception of relationships. This can result in detrimental behaviors within the relationship such as aggression, arrogance, or people-pleasing.

What’s more, these individuals may feel a constant need for self-protection. They may begin to emotionally distance themselves from their loved ones as a result.

Distorted Perception of Self

Trauma can affect the formation of one’s self-identity, negatively influencing how one perceives their place in the world. Consequently, trauma can lead to low self-esteem.

This is why traumatized individuals are often in a constant battle with unwanted or distressing memories. Moreover, they may feel constant unease or sudden and intense episodes of fear.

EMDR Therapy Outcomes

Does EMDR seem too good to be true? That’s how I felt when I first learned about it… it’s possible to resolve my trauma and not even talk about it?! The truth is that EMDR works for many people—there’s a growing body of evidence that supports the efficacy of EMDR therapy. In one particular study, three EMDR therapy sessions led to an 84% remission of PTSD diagnosis.

Many individuals wonder how long they will be doing EMDR therapy. In my experience, it isn’t easy to put a specific number of the length of time EMDR takes. Some individuals come in and have a few traumatic memories (or “targets”) that they want to work on, which could take a few months. Others may participate in EMDR for years. It really depends on the needs of the client and how they respond to treatment.

As a psychologist in Pasadena, I find that many of my clients say “Is EMDR appropriate for me?” The answer to this question varies on a case-to-case basis. While this trauma-informed approach to healing works for many, it tends to be less effective for individuals with severe dissociative disorders or active and intense substance abuse issues. Additionally, EMDR may be less suitable for those who are not ready to engage in trauma-focused therapy or have expectations of rapid results.

Finding the Right Los Angeles EMDR Therapist for You

If you are ready to address your trauma, EMDR therapy might be the solution you’ve been seeking.

Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash. You EMDR Therapist in Los Angeles can support you in addressing your trauma so that you can live the life you WANT to live.

I recognize that it can be really hard and overwhelming to find “the right” EMDR therapist. If you’re interested in reading about the inside scoop on how to figure out what you want in your future mental health provider, check out this blog.

If you’re looking for a California therapist to support you in your healing journey, I may be a fit for you! To be honest, I am a bit of a unicorn EMDR therapist in Los Angeles due to my unique approach to treatment. Throughout the process, I integrate not only EMDR but also Drama Therapy, Acceptance and Commitmentment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

So, for instance, if a target memory we are reprocessing is blocked, I use drama therapy and role-play techniques to try to approach the memory from a new perspective. I may also bring in some specific DBT skills or ACT concepts to support you in managing the emotions that are surfacing around that memory.

Are you looking for an inclusive and caring California therapist? Don’t hesitate to reach out so we can discuss your path to healing.