Is EMDR only for severe trauma?

Many clients see me for PTSD counseling and specifically request EMDR which is very effective for severe trauma.

However, I use EMDR therapy in my Phoenix Arizona counseling practice for other issues such as health anxiety, general anxiety and even to resolve grief over a lost loved one.

I also use EMDR to reinforce or strengthen clients’ positive beliefs for a desired outcome in order to handle an upcoming stressful situation. This use of EMDR is less emotionally reactive than processing trauma.

EMDR can also be used with IFS therapy, which I am also trained in, to work on “Parts” such as people pleasing or perfectionist Parts of the client that are getting in the way of their well-being.

In my practice, it is common that a client starts EMDR with the intention of processing a severe trauma but we find out there are other past events which on the surface seem “benign” but had a signifiant impact on their self worth early in life and we end up processing that instead.

A few examples of these “slight” traumas that actually come up as impactful are: (a) an embarrassing event at school that drew ridicule and ostracizing, (b) parental neglect and emotional abandonment and (c) having to take on a parental role too early in life.

In summary, EMDR therapy is helpful for all types of traumatic experiences. In my opinion, there is no judgement whether the trauma is light, medium or severe. It depends on a person’s history, what their circumstances were at the time, support system and resilience factors that all shape how a traumatic event is imprinted in the brain and body.

EMDR therapy is a journey and requires a good therapeutic relationship, adequate history gathering and trusting in the process. If you are interested in learning more, please contact me soon!