Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is one of the newer options in mental health treatments available today. It provides an effective method to help people who have suffered trauma to move on from these negative memories and experiences. No matter how long ago your trauma occurred, it can still have a profound effect on the way that you think, feel, and act. EMDR can help you to overcome the effects of your trauma in order to live a more peaceful and fulfilling life. At Arbor Wellness, we offer EMDR therapy in Nashville, TN as part of an overall program to treat mental illness and addiction.

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Arbor Wellness is an industry leader in mental health treatment. Our team of top medical experts specialize in dual diagnosis treatment and are committed to ensuring that each patient is treated as an individual. Call us today, we’re available 24/7.

What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR is a type of therapy that uses lights to stimulate and alter eye movements. This type of therapy focuses on helping people to process and overcome past trauma. EMDR therapy Nashville has gained popularity over the last several years. It is highly effective in helping people to reduce and even eliminate some of the symptoms that come with diagnoses such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It also helps retrain the brain in how it processes memories of traumatic events. 

EMDR must be conducted by clinicians specially trained in performing this type of therapy. They may use special types of equipment during the process. EMDR is painless and non-invasive, often providing results such as a reduction in anxiety levels and flashbacks fairly quickly, depending on the individual.

How Does EMDR Therapy in Nashville, TN Work?

There are a few different methods for performing EMDR therapy in Nashville. The therapist will use lights or other items to help direct a person’s eye movements while they talk about past traumatic events that impacted their lives. The therapist guides the client to put more positive thoughts in place in order to help reduce the panic, anxiety, and other side effects that often accompany recalling a traumatic event. 

Alternatively, some therapists instruct the individual to follow their hand movements or use tapping motions with their fingers during the sessions. Several sessions of EMDR are required in order to achieve the desired effect. The treatment is divided into several phases that take place in a specific order.

Eight Phases of EMDR Therapy

EMDR therapy in Nashville includes eight distinct phases completed in a specific order. The eight phases are:

History Taking and Treatment Planning: The therapist conducts an initial conversation to understand the person’s history of trauma and what can be accomplished by using EMDR. A plan of treatment is established and each step is explained so the individual knows what to expect. 

Preparation: The therapist helps set expectations for what goals can be accomplished. The patient can ask questions and express any fears or concerns they have. During this time, the therapist and client work to establish a relationship built on trust and comfort. They also discuss coping techniques that can be used when uncomfortable emotions arise during the upcoming EMDR sessions. 

Assessment: The specific traumatic event that will be addressed is identified, including how it makes the person feel and think as a result. Baseline measures are set using the Subjective Units of Disturbance (SUD) and Validity of Cognition (VOC) scales. 

Desensitization: The therapist directs a person to use side-to-side eye movements in response to verbal instructions, sounds, or tapping motions while the individual discusses the traumatic event. Often during this phase, people experience new images, emotions, and thoughts related to the trauma.

Installation: The patient develops a positive belief system that replaces how they previously reacted when remembering their trauma. 

Body scan: The patient holds the traumatic event and their new positive beliefs in their minds simultaneously while scanning the body from top to bottom. This allows them to reprocess any negative disturbances that remain.

Closure: The patient is asked to keep of record of any emotional disturbances that occur between sessions. The therapist goes over stress-reducing techniques that can be used when they happen.

Reevaluation: The therapist performs a review of what has taken place over the previous phases and assesses any additional targets that need to be addressed. If any follow-up sessions are needed, they can be set up.

What Mental Health Disorders Does Our EMDR Therapy Treat in Nashville, TN?

EMDR primarily comes into play for treating people with PTSD and other difficulties stemming from experiencing trauma. They often exist in a cycle of reliving their trauma over and over via events like flashbacks or nightmares. People with PTSD who undergo EMDR often find a significant reduction in their symptoms, with a large percentage reaching a point at which their symptoms completely stop.

Another mental health disorder that EMDR can help improve is an anxiety disorder. Our EMDR therapy in Nashville has been found to be very effective in reducing anxiety. It also helps those who have anxiety as a result of another mental or physical problem. The biggest benefit of this therapy for anxiety is that it provides long-lasting symptom relief. One study found that just a single one to two-hour EMDR therapy session was effective in reducing or eliminating anxiety for four weeks.

While EMDR is most commonly known as a treatment for trauma, it can actually benefit a host of other conditions. Therapists who specialize in EMDR therapy in Nashville can use it to address a wide range of conditions, including:

How Effective is EMDR Therapy?

Studies continue on the effectiveness of EMDR therapy but many have already shown how much positive impact it can have on those who use it. The National Library of Medicine reported that 24 controlled trials showed that people often experience positive effects when using EMDR therapy to treat trauma. In fact, seven of ten studies done showed that EMDR can be faster and/or more effective in treating trauma than using cognitive behavioral therapy. 

A 2015 study of people receiving inpatient treatment for depression found that 68% of those who used EMDR therapy were considered to be in full remission after treatment. They also experienced fewer relapses in depressive symptoms a year later compared to those who did not use EMDR. 

Anyone considering using our Nashville EMDR therapy can discuss their specific situation with one of our trained therapists. From there, an estimation of what results to expect can take place.

Our Programs that Incorporate EMDR Therapy in Nashville, Tennessee

We include EMDR therapy Nashville as part of all of our programs in order to provide access to this valuable tool to everyone. Our programs include:

Our Nashville Mental Health Treatment Center

Having a comfortable space where people can heal and recover from their mental health conditions is important to us. We offer many different amenities and services that are designed with each persons unique mental health needs in mind. Take a look at our mental health campus today!

Side Effects of EMDR Therapy

EMDR provides a safe, non-invasive type of therapy that does not require medications. As can happen with many types of therapy, potential side effects exist with EMDR. They prove to be minimal if they occur, and the therapist providing the treatment can help the individual cope with the side effects both in the moment they happen and if they occur outside of treatment sessions. Possible side effects of EMDR include:

  • Lightheadedness
  • Vivid dreams
  • Remembering new traumatic memories
  • An increase in distressing memories
  • Heightened emotions during and immediately after treatment

For most people, these symptoms fade as treatment continues. It is important to share any of these side effects with the therapist so that they can help the person interpret and process the side effects.

Who Should Try EMDR Therapy?

Anyone suffering from PTSD or who has dealt with trauma in their past, even if undiagnosed, can try EMDR in an effort to reduce or stop the symptoms they experience. It can also help those who deal with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, and disassociative disorders. EMDR can also help people with substance use disorders and eating disorders. Additionally, it is often used to treat the grieving process and chronic pain. 

Begin EMDR Therapy in Nashville at Arbor Wellness

If you have experienced trauma, whether recently or long ago, you likely live with uncomfortable side effects. Our EMDR therapy in Nashville can help significantly change your situation by reducing and even eliminating many of the symptoms that come with having experienced trauma. Remember that you do not have to spend the rest of your life dealing with flashbacks and anxiety. Your healing from trauma can start now.

Visit our admissions page today and start the process of putting trauma behind you. We are happy to answer any questions you have about EMDR and our treatment programs.

People who Trust Arbor Wellness

Don’t trust our word, let others share their experience, strength, and hope.

Hannah KienzleHannah Kienzle
17:44 17 Jan 23
Arbor wellness is a great place for getting back on your feet! They really care about the individual person. It’s a safe place to do the work. They aren’t perfect and they make mistakes, but they are willing to do anything they can to make it right! They really need to improve on the medication management. Which is why I’m giving them 4 starts. But they are trying to improve! The staff, BHT’s, and therapists are all amazing! They genuinely care for you even after you leave and will answer the phone for any questions or concerns!
Jane HammelJane Hammel
17:28 10 Jan 23
I am so grateful I found Arbor, 5 stars just isn’t enough! I felt so safe, welcomed and supported by the entire staff, everyone there supported me in my healing, from the CEO to the chefs. There are so many different therapy modalities offered, you receive education into different types, so you can find what works best for you and maximize the healing process. For the first time I felt safe to dig deep into my trauma and understand how it affected me in my everyday life and take control of my life back, the team here gave me back what had been taken from me. I can’t thank them enough, Alex, Ashley, Shannon, Troy, Chris, Stephanie, Allison, Kelly, Jesse, Justin, Rich, Cassie, Bethany, Dacey, Jon, Jara, Dan, Lisa, April, Hudson and so many more wonderful people that I am eternally grateful for. Thank you Arbor for helping me heal after so much darkness, I can see the light now. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!
StephanieStephanie
20:28 19 Dec 22
I’m so thankful for Arbor for changing my life, helping me grow and providing with the tools I needed to live a happy life. I have lived with depression and anxiety for years and I knew I needed to get help so I started looking up treatment centers. When I called, I spoke with Stephanie in admissions and she was so wonderful, she really cared about getting me help. The day I checked in Stephanie made sure I felt comfortable and helped me understand I was doing this for me and not to feel guilty for getting help if it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t had stayed. I had the best therapist while I was there named Shelley, she pushed me to open up and process my trauma I can’t thank you enough. I want to also thank Hudson for always making me laugh, it really helped getting through those rough days. I’m very thankful for Troy and Chris for opening and running Arbor to make it the best center in Tennessee. On Tuesday night they provided a class for families that had loved ones there ran by Cassie, thank you for helping my family understand what I was going through. Lastly, I want to thank the chefs for making wonderful food daily and for to all the nurses and techs for taking care of us and always being there if we needed someone to talk to. I would recommend Arbor to anyone that is needing help, you won’t find any better place and staff that actually care about you.
Alissa BenderAlissa Bender
19:28 05 Dec 22
Very thankful to have been treated at Arbor Wellness. The staff is very welcoming and receptive of your needs. My primary therapist Mable was wonderful. Hudson, a former client, is among the other amazing staff that was always able to relate to my journey at the facility. I came in with a willingness to do the hard work and the staff supported me and encouraged me throughout the entire process. I am truly thankful for the time I spent there because it helped change the trajectory of my life in the best way possible.
Amelia YoungAmelia Young
17:09 29 Nov 22
Arbor is an amazing place to receive help for any mental health problems you might be struggling with. The staff is truly wonderful, and have all helped me along on my journey. From the BHTs who are always there to support you in anyway you might need to every single group facilitator who are extremely knowledgeable and very fun, there are nearly endless resources to get you on the right track. Just wanted to also give a special thanks to my girl Ansley who was one of the biggest assets to helping me feel confident in myself again and to my primary therapist, Shelley, who is extremely reliable and real with all the clients she works with. I would highly recommend Arbor if you’re looking for a place that you can feel safe while getting the help you need.
Kari ClinkenbeardKari Clinkenbeard
16:56 14 Nov 22
Words cannot express the amount of gratitude I have for Arbor Wellness and the way they cared for our daughter. The staff treated her with kindness, compassion and dignity. Through her good days and bad days, they continually showed her that she was worthy of a happy life and she is so much more than her diagnosis. The team worked diligently to pinpoint her diagnosis and was proactive in creating a treatment plan that was best for her in the present and future.As a parent of an adult child, I was communicated with in a timely & sensitive manner. We had so many questions, concerns and feelings going through this. The staff was understanding, empathetic and very responsive throughout the entire process.The team at Arbor saved our daughter. We will be forever grateful for Troy, Chris, Hudson, Shelley, Casey, Cassie, Dan, Trey, Lyndsey, Alex & Pippa…and so many more, for putting the smile back on her face.If your loved one is struggling, I would not hesitate to recommend Arbor Wellness for their path in healing.
Britt BratBritt Brat
20:38 24 Oct 22
Arbor is an amazing place to come to when you need help. The staff are fantastic, and truly care about what they are doing on a daily basis. Between music, art, and other therapies there is a lot you can find here to help you with what is going on. I am very thankful for Arbor! Cannot recommend enough.
Tj SennottTj Sennott
01:39 06 Oct 22
My time at Arbor could not have been a better experience. From the facilities to the staff and the program above all, everything is of the highest quality. They truly care for everyone and the support you get is fantastic. Couldn’t recommend more. The growth I’ve seen because of Arbor has really changed my life. All the stars. Thank you everyone there
Greg BulachGreg Bulach
19:32 15 Sep 22
Arbor is a fantastic facility where healing can occur. The staff really cares. I highly recommend this facility. At Arbor, I was able to come out of my shell, out of the darkness which encompassed me. I was able to learn to trust again and see the world in a new light. Thank you to Hudson, Charles, Ansley, Chris, Troy, Shelley and all the rest of the staff. You are top notch. One love.
Madeleine SharpMadeleine Sharp
20:28 07 Sep 22
I was one of the first people who attended Arbor Wellness and they helped change my life. My life was chaos prior to going, and they helped me to change that. They helped me work on my past trauma, my mental health, and addiction “issues” I was placed on the right medication and given the right tools to truly better myself.They also have a 5 star chef that knows what he’s doing in the kitchen.The facility is beautiful. They keep it very clean, they have a workout room, a large cafeteria, red light therapy, a sound bed, stocked with snacks, and drinks.Their staff is wonderful. They all played a huge role, from the techs to the therapist. Hudson, the alumni coordinator and family Liaison has called to check on me since I’ve been gone. He also helped communicate with my family.One last thing, they made sure we all got together as a community to spend time with one another. Whether it was playing corn-hole, renting a movie, having pizza, etc.If you’re torn between going or not going. Take a leap of faith, and go change your life.
Joseph FortuneJoseph Fortune
18:25 30 Jun 22
My experience at arbor Wellness is one of compassion, understanding, and support. BIG shout out to the phenomenal staff here for always going above and beyond to take care of myself and fellow clients. My guys Hudson and Charles are prime examples of effective treatment staff. I will forever be grateful for all that arbor does! Thanks to Troy for providing this amazing and much needed service to Nashville!
Rachael ClarkRachael Clark
14:36 16 Jun 22
Beautiful, state of the art and cutting edge facility. The team is great and are all very qualified and personable. The therapists listen to your concerns and address everyone individually and respectfully. I would highly recommend for any family member needed any help. Arbor will make your future brighter!
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