If you've experienced trauma, you may find yourself reacting to certain situations long after the original event has passed. A memory, conversation, place, or even a particular feeling can bring back distress that you thought you'd already worked through.

EMDR therapy is one approach that therapists may use to help people process difficult experiences. When provided by a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, or LMFT, EMDR can be part of a broader therapeutic relationship focused on emotional well-being and healthier ways of coping.

What Is an LMFT?

LMFT stands for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. LMFTs are mental health professionals who are trained to provide psychotherapy and help people work through emotional, behavioral, and relationship concerns.

Despite the name, an LMFT doesn't only work with married couples or families. Depending on their training and scope of practice, LMFTs can also provide individual therapy for concerns such as trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, and other challenges.

An LMFT may consider how a person's relationships and environment affect their emotional health. When working with someone individually, the therapist can still consider those surrounding factors while focusing on the concerns bringing the client to therapy.

What Is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It's a form of psychotherapy that was developed to help people process distressing memories and experiences.

EMDR differs from traditional talk therapy in important ways. During treatment, the therapist guides the client through specific steps while using bilateral stimulation, which can involve guided eye movements, sounds, or tapping.

The goal isn't to erase a memory. Instead, EMDR helps the brain process a distressing experience so the memory may become less emotionally overwhelming.

How Does LMFT EMDR Therapy Work?

EMDR treatment generally follows a structured process. Before beginning trauma processing, the therapist spends time learning about the client's history, current concerns, coping abilities, and treatment goals.

The therapist may also help the client develop techniques for managing difficult emotions before working directly with traumatic memories. This preparation can give the person tools to use if strong emotions arise during or between sessions.

During an EMDR session, the client may focus on a specific memory, thought, emotion, or physical sensation while following the therapist's instructions for bilateral stimulation. The therapist remains present throughout the process and helps the client work through whatever comes up.

What Is the LMFT's Role During EMDR?

The therapist's role involves much more than guiding eye movements. An LMFT providing EMDR should create a setting where the client feels supported and understands what to expect from treatment.

Before trauma processing begins, the therapist evaluates whether EMDR is appropriate for the individual. They can also adjust the pace of treatment based on the client's needs and ability to manage distress.

An LMFT may help clients:

• Identify experiences they want to address
• Recognize thoughts and beliefs connected to those experiences
• Develop coping and grounding skills
• Work through distressing memories
• Notice changes in emotional and physical responses
• Develop healthier beliefs about themselves and their experiences

The therapeutic relationship remains an important part of the process. Clients should feel comfortable communicating when something feels too difficult or when they need to slow down.

Who Can Benefit From EMDR?

EMDR is often associated with trauma treatment, including post-traumatic stress disorder. Therapists may also use EMDR with people experiencing distress connected to other difficult or overwhelming experiences.

Some people seek EMDR after a single traumatic event, while others have a history of repeated or long-term trauma. Experiences can vary considerably from one person to another.

A therapist can determine whether EMDR is appropriate based on a person's history, current symptoms, treatment goals, and overall circumstances. It's not necessarily the right approach for everyone.

What Can You Expect From EMDR Treatment?

People sometimes expect EMDR to involve simply talking about a traumatic experience while moving their eyes. In practice, treatment can involve several stages, and not every session focuses directly on a traumatic memory.

Early sessions may involve discussing your history, identifying treatment goals, and learning ways to stay grounded. Later sessions may involve processing specific memories and examining the thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations associated with them.

You don't have to know exactly what to say before starting therapy. Your therapist can explain each stage and help you understand what you're doing and why.

EMDR and Emotional Healing

Traumatic experiences can shape how people view themselves, others, and the world around them. Even when someone intellectually understands that an event happened in the past, their emotional or physical reactions may still feel immediate.

EMDR may help reduce the intensity associated with distressing memories and support a different response to those experiences. For some people, that can make it easier to move forward without feeling controlled by what happened.

Healing isn't always quick or predictable. Therapy provides an opportunity to work through difficult experiences at a pace that respects the individual's needs and circumstances.

Explore EMDR Therapy With the Religious Trauma Recovery Center

If you're struggling with the effects of trauma or distressing experiences, you don't have to figure everything out on your own. EMDR therapy with a qualified LMFT may provide one avenue for processing difficult memories and working toward improved emotional well-being.

At the Religious Trauma Recovery Center, our team understands that everyone's experiences and healing process are different. We can help you explore whether EMDR or another therapeutic approach may be appropriate for your needs. Reach out to our team today to learn more about our services and take the next step toward support.