Does EMDR Work For Anxiety?

While EMDR was originally used to deal with upsetting memories and even conditions like PTSD, it’s proven to be effective over the years when it comes to a variety of other mental health conditions. 

That includes anxiety.

Anxiety is the most common mental health issue across the globe, and there are countless treatment options and therapies designed to help. But, there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to anxiety treatment. 

So, whether you’ve tried different treatment options in the past with little success, or you want to focus on something different than traditional talk therapy, EMDR could be the best solution for your anxious thoughts. 

Let’s take a closer look at how EMDR works for anxiety, and what to expect. 

How EMDR Works

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing. 

When it comes to anxiety, it’s used to create positive cognitive memories and changes by helping you reprocess your memories or anxiety triggers. 

EMDR uses an eight-step process to help you work through fearful events or situations that may have caused your anxiety, so you can reprocess those fears into harmless thoughts. 

This type of treatment can work for a variety of different types of anxiety, from Generalized Anxiety Disorder to specific phobias, or even panic disorders. Almost every type of therapy for anxiety starts by getting to the “root” cause of your anxiety, and EMDR is no different in that regard. 

However, that’s where many similarities between EMDR and traditional talk therapies end. 

What to Expect

During your EMDR sessions, your therapist will direct your eye movements while encouraging you to imagine your triggers or any scenarios in which you feel especially anxious. 

While it’s not easy to experience those anxiety-inducing scenarios, the ultimate goal is to replace them with positive thoughts. It can help to know that you’re in a safe space and you’re not alone. 

This process will eventually help you regain control over your anxious thoughts. The thoughts themselves might still be there. But, they won’t be as frightening or overwhelming, and they certainly won’t have the strength to take over. 

In fact, EMDR can completely change your perspective on those thoughts. When you start to see them through a positive lens, you’ll realize you’re in control. That can lead to a better disposition in life, in general. It’s a short-term therapy that provides long-term solutions for all of your anxiety triggers. 

Is EMDR Right for You?

One of the reasons why EMDR is so effective for people with anxiety is that it doesn’t require much talking. 

Your therapist might want to get some initial background information about you. They’ll want to know more about your anxiety and where it comes from, but that’s it. Unlike many types of talk therapy, you won’t spend hours peeling back the layers of your anxiety and forming a strategy to overcome it. 

Instead, you’ll let your brain’s natural reprocessing power do the work, with the assistance and guidance of your therapist.

So, if you don’t enjoy talking or opening up about your anxiety, EMDR could be the perfect solution. 

It’s also not something you’ll have to attend for years, like many other types of therapy. That can be a big “draw” for some people, especially if you’ve tried other therapies that haven’t worked. 

If you’re interested in learning more about EMDR for anxiety, don’t hesitate to contact us for information. You might be the ideal candidate for this type of therapy if you’re tired of struggling with the debilitating symptoms of anxious thoughts. EMDR can help you become desensitized to those thoughts. So, you can reprocess them into something positive and take control of your life once more.