Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Alternative Methods of Treatment set The Source Treatment Center Apart from Many

From the very beginning, The Source Addiction Treatment Center has founded on the premise that the status-quo in addiction treatment is not good enough. Although traditional therapies can be useful, they are much more so when combined with more modern techniques to identify and minimize addiction’s underlying causes. “Among the many useful techniques for identifying and minimizing the effects of trauma, EMDR is considered to be fast, effective, and useful as a component of a comprehensive plan of recovery,” says Source Chief Clinician, Joanna Painton-Hathaway.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a modern interactive psychotherapy approach that has been proven to have excellent results in rapidly resolving certain types of trauma, including PTSD. In the treatment of addiction, it is an effective therapy for identifying and resolving underlying traumatic conditions.

During an EMDR session, the client undergoing the treatment can relieve the experiences that may cause their addiction in short bouts while the therapist guides eye movements.

The theory behind EMDR and its significant reason are that recalling painful events is typically less emotionally disturbing when attention is diverted. This allows a person to be exposed to traumatic memories or thoughts without having an adverse psychological response.

EMDR is believed to lessen the impact that memories and negative thoughts have on a person suffering from addiction. Those who are struggling with traumatic memories or have PTSD benefit the most from EMDR therapy.

EMDR therapy is used to treat:

• Addictions
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Panic attacks