How Therapy Helps with PTSD Recovery
Introduction
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is more than just reliving a traumatic event—it’s an overwhelming condition that can affect every aspect of life, from sleep to relationships. If you’ve felt the effects of PTSD, you know how deeply it can impact your sense of security, peace, and self-control. There is hope, though. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, along with other therapeutic approaches, can help you regain control over your life. At The Counseling Choice in Round Rock, TX, I, Cassia Helena, LCSW, specialize in using EMDR therapy to guide individuals through their PTSD recovery journey.
What is PTSD?
PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. For some, the symptoms may appear immediately, while for others, they can emerge months or even years after the event. PTSD symptoms fall into four categories: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions. These symptoms can lead to significant distress, affecting everyday life and preventing individuals from feeling safe and connected (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
How EMDR Therapy Supports PTSD Recovery
EMDR therapy offers a unique approach to trauma by targeting and reprocessing distressing memories, which reduces their emotional impact. In EMDR sessions, you focus on traumatic memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements. This process helps your brain process the trauma, which can lessen the symptoms of PTSD over time. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR doesn’t require you to relive the traumatic experience repeatedly. Instead, it works to desensitize the impact of traumatic memories, allowing you to reclaim a sense of peace (Shapiro, 2017).
Benefits of EMDR Therapy for PTSD
One of the biggest advantages of EMDR therapy is its effectiveness in reducing PTSD symptoms without prolonged exposure to trauma. Research has shown that EMDR can result in long-term improvement for PTSD sufferers, often in fewer sessions than other therapeutic approaches (Van der Kolk, 2014). Clients who undergo EMDR often report a decrease in symptoms such as nightmares, flashbacks, and heightened anxiety. This can allow for faster emotional recovery, enabling you to feel more at ease in your daily life and relationships.
PTSD Treatment in Round Rock, TX
For those in the Round Rock and Austin areas seeking relief from PTSD, know that help is available. As a certified EMDR therapist, I am committed to supporting you through each step of the healing process. PTSD doesn’t have to define your future. With the right approach, including EMDR, you can rebuild your resilience and find relief from the weight of past trauma.
Conclusion
Recovering from PTSD is possible, and therapy can be a powerful part of that journey. If you’re ready to take the next step in your healing process, reach out to me, Cassia Helena, LCSW, at The Counseling Choice in Round Rock, TX. Together, we can work toward easing the grip of PTSD and opening up a path to peace and recovery.
Works Cited
American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-5. 5th ed., American Psychiatric Association, 2013.
Shapiro, Francine. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures. 3rd ed., Guilford Press, 2017.
Van der Kolk, Bessel A. The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Penguin Books, 2014.