While participating in EMDR treatment, the client first recalls a traumatic experience. After doing so, they “free associate” allowing thoughts to freely enter their mind without resisting them. While this is taking place, the client experiences stimuli applied by the therapist. The stimulus is usually visual, having an effect on eye movement, but it may also be auditory or touch-related. The stimulus is used to enable the client to isolate the thoughts and feelings associated with the trauma. The therapist will introduce the idea of a “safe place” to the client. A clear separation between the disturbing emotions and the “safe place” is developed. Through a series of treatments, the client discovers how to disconnect the distressing emotions from the traumatic event and how to guide themselves to their “safe place” when these feelings occur. The purpose of EMDR treatment therapy is to process these distressing memories, reduce their lingering influence and allow clients to develop more adaptive coping mechanisms.
By utilizing multiple complementary therapies, such as EMDR and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, for example, West Coast Treatment Center develops a therapeutic synergy that produces more effective results than any one therapy could alone. We understand how crucial it is for our clients to make significant progress throughout their time in drug and alcohol treatment. We believe that our leading-edge, synergistic approach is the most effective method to achieve the most from an inpatient stay.