Advancements In Treatment For PTSD & Trauma
PTSD and Trauma are primarily treated with psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of the two. There are many different forms of psychotherapy and many different formulations of medication available for treatment.
The reason that so many different PTSD treatment combinations exist is because what works for one person may not work for another. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for properly dealing with traumatic events and/or the subsequent PTSD that often follows.
Because there is no magical answer, the areas of treatment for PTSD and trauma are always changing and evolving. A promising new form of therapy, called EMDR therapy, is emerging as a popular choice for treating both PTSD and trauma.
So if you’re looking for PTSD treatment in Cincinnati, then EMDR therapy may be for you! Want to learn more about EMDR therapy and how it works? Keep on reading.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapy
EMDR is a form of psychotherapy that was designed in the late 1980’s as a way to relieve some of the distress that’s often associated with traumatic memories. It has gained traction and popularity amongst both clinicians and those suffering from PTSD in the last two decades as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan saw numerous soldiers returning home suffering from PTSD.
EMDR therapy is not just for combat-related trauma. Anyone who suffers from PTSD or has experienced a traumatic event, such as a car accident or sexual assault, may be able to benefit from this form of psychotherapy.
How Does EMDR Therapy Work For PTSD & Trauma Treatment?
Individuals that have suffered a traumatic event, or that suffer from PTSD caused by an event or series of events, can have the neural networks in their brain “rewired” to connect this trauma with a new set of information. The distress that they once felt can be interspersed with new positive emotions and thoughts.
On the surface EMDR may seem unusual to those that have received psychological or psychiatric help before. There is no medication and there is no standard ‘talk therapy’. A licensed and trained therapist, such as an LISW, is able to use your own rhythmic and rapid eye movements to dampen and weaken the power that these traumatic events once held over them.
For example, your therapist, counselor, or psychologist may ask you to follow their fingers, their hand movements, or an object they’re holding, with your eyes. While doing so they will have you recall the traumatic events that have troubled you. They may get very specific, asking you to recall various emotions and sensations that accompanied this trauma.
By watching for very subtle, yet very specific eye movements, your therapist is able to determine how and when to shift your thoughts to more pleasant ones. A good trauma therapist will also teach coping mechanisms to ensure the client can be prepared for resurfacing of those memories.
This is a very simplified explanation of the process. Some variables may change depending on your practitioner’s preferences and training.
Is EMDR Therapy For PTSD & Trauma Effective?
As we mentioned earlier, there is no definitive, one-size-fits-all answer to dealing with PTSD or coping with past trauma. However, the results of EMDR therapy so far seem to be more than promising. Simply put, if it didn’t work, it would not be recognized by some of the top national and international organizations as an effective treatment, including:
Department of Veteran’s Affairs
S. Department of Defense
American Psychiatric Association
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
The World Health Organization
EMDR Therapy Is Not Just For PTSD & Trauma
Because of how effective EMDR therapy can be when dealing with trauma, it almost seems like it was designed solely as a therapy for PTSD. Effective for both adults and children, EMDR therapy has been shown to be effective with treating a number of psychological challenges including, but not limited to:
Stress-related issues
Grief and loss
Anxiety and panic attacks
Substance abuse and addiction
Depression and Bi-polar disorder
Violence and abusive episodes
EMDR Therapy For PTSD Treatment In Cincinnati
EMDR therapy is not a treatment tool that is taught in schools or during practicums. Practitioners receive special training and must meet certification requirements before they receive approval to practice EMDR therapy.
Only a handful of PTSD treatment and trauma treatment practitioners in the Cincinnati area are certified to practice EMDR therapy. Sheldon Reisman is an independently licensed clinical social worker (LISW-S) who is highly specialized in PTSD treatment and trauma treatment in Cincinnati.
If you’re reading this post you’re probably looking for help for either yourself or a loved one. You can call or text Sheldon at (513)-400-4613, email him at Sheldon@TherapyCincinnati or skip straight to booking an appointment with him directly through the Therapy Cincinnati website.
Is EMDR Therapy For PTSD & Trauma Effective?
As we mentioned earlier, there is no definitive, one-size-fits-all answer to dealing with PTSD or coping with past trauma. However, the results of EMDR therapy so far seem to be more than promising. Simply put, if it didn’t work, it would not be recognized by some of the top national and international organizations as an effective treatment, including:
Department of Veteran’s Affairs
S. Department of Defense
American Psychiatric Association
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
The World Health Organization
EMDR Therapy Is Not Just For PTSD & Trauma
Because of how effective EMDR therapy can be when dealing with trauma, it almost seems like it was designed solely as a therapy for PTSD. Effective for both adults and children, EMDR therapy has been shown to be effective with treating a number of psychological challenges including, but not limited to:
Stress-related issues
Grief and loss
Anxiety and panic attacks
Substance abuse and addiction
Depression and Bi-polar disorder
Violence and abusive episodes
EMDR Therapy For PTSD Treatment In Cincinnati
EMDR therapy is not a treatment tool that is taught in schools or during practicums. Practitioners receive special training and must meet certification requirements before they receive approval to practice EMDR therapy.
Only a handful of PTSD treatment and trauma treatment practitioners in the Cincinnati area are certified to practice EMDR therapy. Sheldon Reisman is an independently licensed clinical social worker (LISW-S) who is highly specialized in PTSD treatment and trauma treatment in Cincinnati.
If you’re reading this post you’re probably looking for help for either yourself or a loved one. You can call or text Sheldon at (513)-400-4613, email him at Sheldon@TherapyCincinnati or skip straight to booking an appointment with him directly through the Therapy Cincinnati website.