If you are living with depression in Sydney, you may be wondering about the various treatment options available to you. One option to consider is EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) therapy. EMDR therapy is a form of psychotherapy that was developed in the 1980s to help people cope with traumatic events, but it has since been found to be effective in the treatment of a range of mental health conditions, including depression.
How EMDR works
During an EMDR therapy session, a certified therapist will direct you through specific eye movements, tapping sequences, or auditory cues while you reflect on and reprocess certain experiences that may be contributing to your depression. The specialist will inquire about any negative thought patterns related to those experiences and ask you to rate how much distress they are causing you on a scale of 1-10. This is where eye movements and other stimuli come into play, helping you work through and reprocess feelings in order to reduce their power over your life.
The exact workings of EMDR therapy are still being scientifically explored, but it is believed to cause modifications in the brain’s memory processing functions. When situations become too intense or stressful, our brains can become unable to cope, leading to memories getting stuck in place. This can cause us to keep reliving the same negative feelings as if the event was happening again. EMDR therapy may allow these memories to be processed and reintegrated into our life experience, thus decreasing their negative emotions and reactions.
Evidence-backed depression treatment with EMDR
A significant and growing body of research supports the effectiveness of EMDR therapy in the treatment of depression. Studies have found that EMDR therapy can lead to significant improvements in symptoms of depression, including reduction in feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness, as well as changes in behaviour, such as increased socialisation and improved functioning.
Please keep in mind that EMDR therapy is not a quick fix or magic bullet and may require multiple sessions to be effective. It is also not appropriate for everyone, and a trained therapist should assess your suitability for EMDR therapy before beginning treatment.
Contact Stephen Jacobs for tailored EMDR sessions
If you are living with depression in Sydney and are interested in learning more about EMDR therapy as a treatment option, please don’t hesitate to contact Stephen. He is here to help you find the support and care you need to manage your depression and improve your quality of life.
