Professional EMDR Therapy in Scottsdale and Prescott, Arizona
Embark Recovery specializes in treating substance abuse and addiction issues in Scottsdale and Prescott, Arizona.
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At our accredited recovery centers in Prescott and Scottsdale, we understand that addiction, trauma, and mental health issues often arise from painful life experiences and memories. True healing requires more than just managing symptoms - it requires processing those memories to resolve distress and foster positive growth.
That's why we offer EMDR therapy in Scottsdale and Prescott, AZ. Call our trusted team today to learn how EMDR can help.
How Does EMDR Work?
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation of the brain-like eye movements, taps, or sounds-along with elements of cognitive therapy. This helps reprocess traumatic memories that may be contributing to current problems and symptoms.
Extensive research over more than 20+ years has confirmed EMDR's effectiveness and elucidated its mechanisms of action. EMDR therapy facilitates the accessing and reprocessing of traumatic memories and associated emotions, sensations, and beliefs through bilateral stimulation and the client's innate information processing system.
Phases of EMDR Treatment
EMDR in our Arizona centers follows an eight-phase, evidence-based approach to treatment:
Phase 1: History and Treatment Planning
Your EMDR therapist will start by learning more about you. This helps them identify target memories and the issues to address. During this phase, you'll discuss your symptoms, history, and what you hope to achieve from therapy. Your therapist can then develop a personalized treatment plan.
Phase 2: Preparation
During the second phase, you will learn techniques like deep breathing and guided imagery. These help to instill a sense of safety and control when you are recalling distressing events. Your therapist will also explain the EMDR procedures so you know exactly what to expect.
Phase 3: Assessment
You'll be asked to identify a specific traumatic memory and the negative belief associated with it. You rate how true this negative belief feels right now on a scale from 1-7. This provides you and your therapist with a baseline to track progress.
Phase 4: Desensitization
This is the start of the active reprocessing phase. You'll focus on the target memory along with any related emotions, sensations, and beliefs while engaging in bilateral stimulation.
During this phase, new insights and perspectives are likely to arise as the memory becomes less distressing.
Phase 5: Installation
Your therapist will show you how to develop a positive self-statement to replace the earlier negative belief. You will then rate how true this positive belief feels on a 1-7 scale. This strengthens the adaptive shift in your thinking about the traumatic event.
Phase 6: Body Scan
You recall the original memory while noticing any residual tension or odd sensations that might remain. Any that still exist are targeted for reprocessing until the memory feels fully resolved with no physical symptoms or disruption.
Phase 7: Closure
At the end of each session, you'll keep a log of emotions, memories, or dreams that arise before your next appointment. Your therapist will guide you in relaxation techniques and help you process any disturbances.
Phase 8: Reevaluation
You and your therapist will discuss your log and evaluate your progress at the start of each new session. At this stage, you'll be able to determine if any additional sessions are needed to achieve your goals.
EMDR Rapidly Accelerates Healing
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR therapy allows you to rapidly access and reprocess traumatic or disruptive memories so they no longer cause distress. The bilateral brain stimulation synchronizes the brain's hemispheres and activates its innate information processing system uniquely.
This allows key insights and new perspective shifts to surface very quickly. EMDR's therapeutic effects often occur much faster than other treatments-sometimes providing targeted relief within just 3-4 sessions for a specific memory. The rapid results build confidence and momentum to continue the healing process.
Lasting Relief From PTSD, Anxiety, Addiction, Depression and More
In addition to PTSD, EMDR therapy has been extensively studied and proven effective at providing rapid, lasting relief for:
- Anxiety
- Eating disorders
- Phobias
- Performance anxiety
- Body image issues
- Migraines
- Addictions
- Depression
- Panic attacks
- Grief and loss
- Chronic pain
It can also transform core underlying beliefs that contribute to issues like low self-worth, fear of change or intimacy, perfectionism, and relationship conflicts.
EMDR's Neurobiological Mechanisms
Thanks to nearly 30 years of research, we now understand the specific neurological processes that make EMDR therapy so effective:
EMDR stimulates the amygdala and hippocampus regions of the limbic system which process emotional experiences and trauma. This allows the brain to reintegrate these memories in a new way.
It activates the prefrontal cortex where higher-order thinking and reasoning occur, facilitating insights and perspective shifts.
The alternating bilateral stimulation helps the two brain hemispheres synchronize and integrate functions for quicker information processing and resolution.
Brain scans show EMDR induces a neurobiological state similar to rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, allowing traumatic memories to be rapidly linked with more adaptive information.
The relaxation techniques reduce blood pressure, heart rate, and O2 consumption to create a window of tolerance where traumatic memories can be accessed safely.
The result is targeted reprocessing and resolution of past traumatic or adverse experiences at a rapid rate so you can achieve meaningful healing.
An Integrated Addiction and Trauma Recovery Approach
At our recovery centers in Arizona, our EMDR therapists integrate EMDR with comprehensive, evidence-based addiction and mental health treatment including:
- Medical detox and stabilization
- Biofeedback
- Individual and group therapy
- Mindfulness training
- Experiential therapies
- Nutrition education
- Life skills development
Our programs address core issues like unresolved trauma, underlying beliefs, skill development, and building a strong recovery network. We equip you with the tools to maintain sobriety, manage co-occurring disorders, and attain long-term wellness in mind, body, and spirit.
Take the First Step Toward Complete Healing
Our EMDR therapy in Scottsdale and Prescott, AZ, has helped countless individuals overcome past trauma, transform negative beliefs into positive ones, and reclaim their potential.
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, PTSD, anxiety, depression, or self-harm, please call us today. We can help.