How does EMDR therapy for children work? In a nutshell, the process involves recalling specific memories while being tapped on alternating sides of the body or moving the eyes from side to side. In time, the memory becomes less emotionally charged, allowing the child to process the traumatic event and heal.

In this article, you can get answers to common questions about EMDR therapy for children, including how child EMDR therapy works, who can benefit from EMDR therapy, and what to expect when your child starts EMDR therapy.

What is EMDR Therapy for Childhood Trauma?

Trauma often leaves people feeling “stuck” in the past, reliving painful memories, emotions, and even physical sensations. EMDR therapy is a type of psychotherapy offered by a trained therapist with the goal of processing trauma and moving forward. Several steps are involved in EMDR therapy, with the key feature being bilateral stimulation. 

Bilateral stimulation can include rapid eye movement, tapping on the child’s legs or shoulders, visual cues, or vibrating handheld devices. For children, tapping is the most common method used, but the therapist will work with the child to determine which form of bilateral stimulation he or she is most comfortable with. The stimulation alternates from the left and right side and is meant to help the child focus on the present while recalling painful memories from the past. 

How Does EMDR Therapy for Children Work? 

How EMDR therapy works is a bit of a mystery, but numerous clinical trials support its effectiveness. The idea is that EMDR therapy affects the area of the brain that stores memories by helping the patient work through the traumatic event. 

Traumatic experiences disrupt normal memory formation, which can lead to flashbacks, strong emotional reactions, disturbing thoughts, and physical symptoms like body aches, sleep disturbances, and more—this is called PTSD.

PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, causes people to relive traumatic experiences, and many times, they cannot move on without professional therapy. Not only does EMDR therapy help the patient process memories, but it can also overwrite the negative effects with positive ones. 

For example, trauma might make a child feel unsafe or unlovable. The goal of EMDR therapy would be to help the child process what happened to them and replace these harmful ideas with the opposite: they are safe, and they are loveable.

Who Can Benefit from EMDR Therapy?

EMDR therapy can help anyone with trauma, including children as young as 2 years old. Depending on the child’s age, the therapist will simplify the process while maintaining its key components. So, even if the child does not fully understand what happened, they can benefit from this therapy. The therapy can continue through multiple sessions for as long as the child requires. 

If you’re a parent or guardian, and you want to know if your child or teen can benefit from EMDR therapy, then the best thing to do is schedule an initial appointment to get more information. This therapy isn’t best for every scenario, but in the right circumstances, it can be very beneficial. Most of the time, two sessions are all it takes to determine whether EMDR therapy will be effective for your child. 

More FAQs When Starting EMDR Therapy for Your Child 

Starting a new therapy can be intimidating, especially when your child is involved. If you have more questions, then don’t hesitate to ask. In the meantime, here are more commonly asked questions that parents and caretakers have about EMDR for children:

• How long do EMDR sessions for children take? That depends on the child’s age and ability to tolerate the therapy comfortably. A typical session can take anywhere between 15–90 minutes. 
• How many EMDR sessions will my child need? The number of sessions of EMDR therapy a child needs ranges from six to twelve on average for a single incident trauma. More sessions may be needed for preparation and support. 
• How can the family get involved? Family involvement is important. First, the therapist will meet with the family to gain a full picture of what the child went through. Counseling for the family might also be offered, and the methods learned during EMDR therapy can be performed at home with the help of a parent or caretaker. 

Find a Professional for EMDR Christian Counseling in Raleigh, NC

Are you interested in EMDR therapy from a Christian perspective? If you’re looking for Christian therapists in Raleigh who provide professional EMDR therapy, then Sojourner Counseling can help. We incorporate biblical ideas throughout the various phases of the therapeutic process, and we can tailor the sessions to meet the needs of your child or teen. Contact us anytime to learn more about why we are trustworthy Christian counselors in Raleigh for EMDR therapy.

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Why Bilateral Stimulation is Used in EMDR Therapy

EMDR therapy is a treatment that encourages the brain to process painful memories and speeds up its natural healing process. This form of therapy is an effective treatment for PTSD, anxiety, depression, and more. Bilateral stimulation is a key component of EMDR therapy because it provides the stimulation the brain needs to achieve the desired result. When used in EMDR therapy, BLS:

• Activates both sides of the brain to help process “stuck” memories.
• Desensitizes traumatic emotions to make them less painful and more manageable. 
• Improves relaxation, and focus, and decreases emotional reactivity.
• Encourages long-term memory storage to reduce flashbacks. 
• Reduces stress and anxiety and a sense of well-being.
• Challenges negative self-talk and forms a healthier self-image.

How Bilateral Stimulation is Used in EMDR Therapy

There are two main categories of bilateral stimulation used in EMDR therapy. The first is slow bilateral stimulation, which helps the client replace negative memories, thoughts, and emotions with positive ones. Slow, short sets of bilateral stimulation are used in this process. The second is fast bilateral stimulation, which is used to identify and consolidate traumatic memories that are stored in the mind and body. 

While these are the base forms of BLS, there are several types that can be used, including:

• Auditory Bilateral Stimulation: The client wears headphones to listen to tones that alternate from the left and right ear.
• Tactile Bilateral Stimulation: Pulsars are placed in each hand, and the client feels a pulse or vibration that alternates between each hand. There are also devices that can be worn on the wrists or ankles. 
• Visual Bilateral Stimulation: Lights or visual cues alternate from each side. The client looks at the light or visual aid as it moves back and forth between each eye. 

Both slow and fast bilateral stimulation are used in the desensitization, installation, and body scan phases of EMDR. More on this process:

• History Taking & Preparation: The counselor gathers information about the client’s symptoms and goals for treatment, and the client learns about what to expect during EMDR sessions. 
• Desensitization & Installation: The client recalls memories while using bilateral stimulation to foster and enhance the brain’s natural healing process. Positive thoughts and emotions gradually replace harmful ones. 
• Body Scan & Closure: The counselor guides the client through a whole-body scan to identify stress that’s stored in the body. The client and counselor discuss ways to manage painful thoughts, emotions, and memories that arise between sessions. 

Benefits of Bilateral Stimulation EMDR Therapy

Trauma can leave a person feeling “stuck” in painful memories, often reliving thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations over and over again. Bilateral stimulation helps the person move forward by processing the traumatic event until the pain is resolved. This helps the client regulate their emotions, stop ruminating on difficult memories, and alleviate distressing physical and psychological symptoms of PTSD. 

Christian Counseling in Raleigh, NC with BLS Therapy

If you or someone you love is having difficulty moving on after a traumatic event, and you want a faith-based approach to healing, then Christian EMDR therapy can help. There are EMDR-trained Christian therapists in Raleigh who can incorporate Christian values and ideas into each phase of the therapeutic process, so you can heal from trauma while growing your relationship with God at the same time. 

Contact a Christian BLS & EMDR Therapist in Raleigh, NC to Learn More

Are you interested in Christian Counseling in Raleigh that provides bilateral stimulation EMDR therapy? Reach out to Sojourner Counseling. We provide trauma counseling for children, teens, and adults. Our faith-based approach incorporates scriptures, prayer, hymns, and more during the EMDR sessions as requested by each client. Contact us anytime to learn more, or to schedule your initial appointment.

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That’s because trauma also causes physical, or somatic, symptoms. Sometimes, these symptoms can last longer than the mental or emotional symptoms because they can be easy to overlook. In many cases, trauma survivors experience a mixture of mental, emotional, and physical symptoms.

In this article, you’ll learn about how trauma is stored in the body, what that looks like, and how you can release trauma stored in the body. 

How Does Your Body Hold Trauma?

When you are in danger, the amygdala triggers the release of stress hormones like cortisol. The release of cortisol prepares the mind and body to deal with danger, activating the fight, flight, or freeze response. This is necessary for survival. However, trauma occurs when you have not fully processed the overwhelming experience. The release of cortisol continues, making you feel tense and emotionally reactive, and can negatively affect your body in several ways. 

What Are the Effects of Stored Trauma on the Body?

Trauma is not truly “stored” in the body. What happens with trauma is you continue to feel the effects of the danger you once experienced, even for many years after the event occurred. Your mind and body reacts just as it did during the initial trauma, including releasing cortisol. Effects of trauma on the body can include:

• Muscle Tension
• Headaches
• Tightness in the Chest
• Feeling Shaky or On Edge
• Difficulty Sleeping or Sleeping Too Much
• Memory Issues or Brain Fog
• Chronic Muscle and/or Joint Pain

How Can You Release Stored Trauma in the Body?

While trauma symptoms can be difficult to deal with, to say the least, there are some things that you can try to help you relax mentally, emotionally, and physically:

• Let yourself feel. Bottling up your emotions is not only harmful mentally but also physically. As difficult as it can be, take some time to let yourself feel the sadness, anger, fear, and other negative emotions associated with the traumatic experience. 
• Practice mindfulness. When your thoughts and emotions become too much to handle, mindfulness can help you to refocus and gain control. 
• Take time out for yourself. Some people deal with trauma by keeping busy, and sometimes this can backfire, leading to exhaustion, sleep troubles, and other physical problems. Try to take a break and don’t feel bad about a little pampering to help you loosen up. 
• Get some exercise. Exercise is great for releasing stored cortisol. Go for a walk, take an aerobics class, or turn on your favorite music and dance your heart out. 
• Try Journaling. Journaling is a great way to release pent-up emotions, and it can also help you to process jumbled-up thoughts and feelings. 

Trauma Counseling Can Heal Somatic Symptoms

As mentioned earlier, your amygdala is responsible for releasing cortisol. When the amygdala is activated, the prefrontal cortex slows. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for logical thought and reason. That’s why trauma often leads to strong emotions and can make you feel like you’re “out of control.”

The goal of Trauma therapy is to activate the prefrontal cortex so that your brain can fully process and heal from the trauma. As this occurs, the physical or somatic experiences of trauma are released. Here are some common, proven therapies for releasing trauma in the body:

• Cognitive Processing Therapy: This helps with identifying and redirecting unwanted thoughts related to the traumatic event. It also provides a tool for calming emotional dysregulation and its physical effects. 
• Prolonged Exposure Therapy: Trauma-related memories are discussed and evaluated slowly over time, so the person can learn how to deal with these memories without feeling endangered by them. 
• EMDR Therapy: Eye Movement Desensitization and Processing Therapy helps to lessen and eventually release emotional charges and physical sensations related to specific traumatic memories. 
• Somatic Experiencing: This therapy focuses on the body’s responses to traumatic events to help the person process and heal. 

Connect with Trauma Christian Therapists in Raleigh, NC

Are you concerned that you or a loved one is struggling to move forward after trauma? Whether you’re dealing with emotional, mental, or physical symptoms—or all of them at once—trauma counseling can help. 

Sojourner Counseling offers trauma Christian counseling in Raleigh, NC for children, teens, and adults. We provide a blend of proven therapies like those mentioned above with faith-based tools for healing, like scripture reading and prayer. Let us know if you’re interested in learning more.

The post How To Release Trauma Stored in the Body first appeared on Sojourner Counseling.

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What is EMDR?

EMDR is an evidence-based therapy model developed by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. By using a bilateral stimulation technique, traditionally in the form of eye movements, Dr. Shapiro found that memories and events within the brain could be accessed and reprocessed within the brain in a non-maladaptive way. By doing so, EMDR clients experience decreased distress and reduced problematic symptoms. In sum, individuals can heal from the past, experience less reaction to triggers in the present, and move forward in the future with renewed confidence.

How does EMDR work?

EMDR recognizes the importance of memory networks within the human brain. Brains are constantly processing experiences, whether they are negative or positive. When people experience distressing events, brains can process and store events in a way that builds the memory networks between present occurrences and past distressing experiences. The brain then is “triggered”, and individuals can respond to a current event as if the brain and body were re-experiencing the distressing event from before. EMDR seeks to re-process and store these distressing events in a healthy, adaptive way, reducing triggers and easing the distress connected through these memory networks. To do this, EMDR-trained therapists guided clients through an eight-phase process described below.

1. History Taking

The first phase of EMDR therapy is ‘History Taking’. In this phase, clients will discuss their history with their therapist, who will then create an appropriate treatment plan to address distressing events for reprocessing. This step is crucial as it allows the therapist to understand the root cause of a client’s distress and plan the treatment accordingly.

2. Preparation

The ‘Preparation’ phase involves learning about EMDR techniques and developing emotion regulation skills to assist with reprocessing and emotional distress. An EMDR therapist will guide a client through various techniques and help the person develop skills to manage emotional distress during the therapy
process.

3. Assessment

The ‘Assessment’ phase is when clients and therapists identify a target event to reprocess. This includes identifying the related target image, negative and positive cognition, body sensations, and emotions. The goal is to pinpoint the specific event that causes distress to be addressed through the EMDR process.

4. Desensitization

In the ‘Desensitization’ phase, Bilateral Stimulation (BLS), such as eye movements, is applied while thinking of the distressing memory. This continues until the distress is lowered. During this phase, new thoughts, emotions, images, and body sensations may emerge as the mind processes the distressing
memory.

5. Installation

The ‘Installation’ phase involves strengthening the positive belief associated with the target memory, while replacing the old negative belief. This is an important step in helping clients shift their mindset from a negative to a neutral or positive perspective about the distressing event.

6. Body Scan

The ‘Body Scan’ phase involves scanning the body for any leftover distressing body sensations until all signs of distressing sensations are processed out. This phase helps to ensure that no residual distress is left in the body after the reprocessing of the memory.

7. Closure

The ‘Closure’ phase involves returning to a calm state at the end of the session through relaxation techniques. This ensures that a client leaves the therapy session feeling calm and composed, ready to face the world again.

8. Reevaluation

The ‘Reevaluation’ phase happens at the beginning of the next session. During this phase, clients and trained EMDR therapists review the progress of the target event, check for current distress, and identify a new target event if needed. This phase ensures that the therapy is progressing well and that any new distressing events are addressed promptly.

Conclusion:

EMDR is an empirically supported approach for targeting many difficulties you or your loved ones may face. While research shows the impact of the eight-phase approach with applied BLS, what’s most important is the healing many clients receive from current struggles and distressing memories. By becoming “unstuck”, you or your loved ones can pursue everyday life without the impairment that keeps them moving forward. With the guidance of a trained or certified EMDR therapist, you or your loved ones can begin to experience a new life.

Ready to become unstuck with the help of EMDR?

If you’ve landed on this page by searching for an “EMDR therapist near me” or “EMDR
therapy Raleigh”, then you’ve come to the right place. EMDR works effectively in person
and through online therapy, and Sojourner Counseling provides both options for those
seeking help. Please contact our office to schedule an appointment with a trained
EMDR therapist.

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