Are you tired of having trauma rule your life?

 Is the pain just too much?

You wake up covered in cold sweat, your breath ragged, your world turned upside down yet again. The nightmares just won’t go away, even when you think you may finally be over it. During the day, you try your best to “be normal,” but intrusive thoughts and images keep popping up during the most inconvenient times. You don’t want to remember, but you do. And you would do anything to stop it. Stop the terror and the pain that has besieged you for so long.

The worst part is, you don’t even know who you are anymore - or maybe you never did.

It Wasn’t Your Fault

Maybe you were in an accident or suffered an assault – or simply witnessed one. Maybe you lost someone so dear to you that you simply cannot move on. Maybe your parents divorced, leaving you to grieve the family you once had. Whatever the trauma, it is ruling your life and it won’t let go. You feel stuck, helpless, and so very tired of having to suppress the painful memories. The harder you try to push them down, the more vivid they become when you close your eyes.

You may have received an official diagnosis of PTSD – posttraumatic stress disorder – or you may have been told that you don’t quite meet the requirements. Either way, you know something is wrong because life just isn’t the same. You may minimize the trauma – “It wasn’t so bad, and I should be over it by now” – or you could be keeping it a secret from everyone else, pretending everything is “fine” while you are terrified inside.

“Why can others just go on?” you ask yourself, “Am I weak?”

 Trauma Affects Everyone

More than half of people in America experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime and about 1 in 11 adults will be diagnosed with PTSD because of it. PTSD is more common in women and can make people more susceptible to physical illnesses and psychological disturbance. It is also incredibly common in people who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community as well as in Latinx, Black, and Native American individuals. Not only does trauma affect the person directly impacted by it; it affects everyone around them. If you suffered trauma, you may experience mood swings and find it hard to be around your loved ones who are puzzled by how you’ve changed.

Stuck, Not Broken

Having PTSD or experiencing related symptoms does not mean you are “weak” or “broken.” It means that something terrible has happened to you, and it got stuck in your memory, undigested. It’s sitting there like a virus, infecting your previously enjoyable life with tearful spells and angry outbursts. It’s poisoning the mind with those horrible thoughts and vivid sounds. It won’t let go, until it is fully processed and integrated in your brain. You try to control yourself, but the emotions simply take over. You try your best to forget, but the memory remains.

There is no need to continue suffering in silence. The effects of trauma can be effectively treated with therapy, and it doesn’t have to take a long time. The nightmares can be replaced by uninterrupted sleep. The painful thoughts can turn into confident ones. The intrusive images will no longer haunt you. Even if the traumatic memory comes up, it will not cause you terror like it used to. Your pain can be lessened – and fast – with EMDR therapy.

 How EMDR Therapy Helps with PTSD

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) is a therapy that uses eye movements or other types of side-to-side stimulation to help heal trauma and other conditions. EMDR therapy was developed in 1987 and is recognized by the World Health Organization as a first-choice treatment for PTSD. Multiple studies have shown that EMDR therapy is a fast, effective, and long-lasting way of treating PTSD symptoms resulting from traumatic events. Phobias, grief, anxiety, and depression can all be improved with EMDR therapy. Most people see a difference in their symptoms after just a few sessions.

What Can I Expect During EMDR Therapy?

Unlike other popular therapies for trauma, EMDR does not involve detailed descriptions of the event, prolonged exposure, or homework. You will be asked to provide a history of traumatic experiences without having to tell the whole story. Then, you will be asked to focus on a difficult memory and directed to move your eyes side to side or tap on your chest (other options for stimulation are available). The therapist will be guiding you and working within your level of comfort. After your traumatic memories get processed, you will get to “install” a positive perspective about yourself regarding the event. For example, you may go from thinking that you are helpless to thinking that you are in control. For a short demo of EMDR therapy, scroll down on this page.

EMDR sessions are hard work because your brain is actively processing trauma. You may feel tired and “out of it” after therapy. It is recommended to schedule your sessions for times when you can rest afterwards. If you prefer online therapy, EMDR can still be done as effectively as during in-person sessions, which allows you to not have to drive right after. Either way, you will need to do a free consultation to decide if EMDR is right for you before agreeing to treatment. It may not be suitable for very recent traumatic events or complex trauma histories.

Healing Is Possible

You may be used to thinking that the pain of trauma is the “new normal,” but it doesn’t have to be. Healing and growth are possible for you. Rainbows really do come after rain as long as you are willing to ask for help and do some work. You will find a safe space to get better with Courage to Heal Therapy, where you will be treated with compassion and empathy. Are you ready to turn the page and start a new chapter of your life?

 What If EMDR Therapy Doesn’t Work?

It is rare for EMDR to be unsuccessful, but it may not be right for everyone. The good news is, you will find out within 1-2 sessions if it’s not working, unlike many other drawn-out therapies. There are many other methods of treating trauma that may end up being a better fit for you – and we can explore them together. Note that, for complex trauma, treatment with any therapy will take longer than for situations where one specific traumatic event happened.

Will I Have to Recall Painful Memories?

You will have to recall traumatic incidents, but not in detail. You won’t have to provide detailed descriptions or explanations – you will simply be asked to identify your sensations and emotions as you process the event. Images and thoughts will come up, but eye movements can quickly turn the emotional intensity down. Your painful memories will be processed and will no longer cause you turmoil and terror. While you will still be able to recall them, they will no longer hold power over you.

What If I Get Overwhelmed During EMDR Therapy?

EMDR teaches safety techniques before painful memories are processed. If you feel overwhelmed, the therapist will guide you to employ one of these techniques to calm down. You won’t be pushed past your limits, and you will have a “Stop” signal to let the therapist know the feelings are too intense. At the end of the session, your memories will be put away in a mental “container” until the next session so that they do not disturb you in the meantime.

How Can I Get Help Now?

If you are ready, schedule a free 20-minute consultation to get answers and discuss rates and frequency of sessions. You can also email or call (720) 340-2327 – all voicemails are answered within 24 hours.