It's likely that at some point you have heard the expression "it's like learning to ride a bike". An expression used to describe skills that once learned, are easy to recall and hard to forget. Neuroscientists have discoved that each time a new skill is learned, the brain creates a neuralpathway. The ability to ride a bike, even after years of not doing so, is attributed to the therory that repetition strengthens neural pathways, allowing certain muscle movements within the memory, to be stored in the brain.
But what happens when negative memories become stored in the brain?
When faced with a traumatic experience or preceived threat, the nervous system signals the release of stress hormones, setting off a “fight-or-flight” response. The body reacts by triggering an increase in heart rate and respiration, constricting blood vessels and tightening muscles. If the nervous system is unable to return to its normal state of balance and unable to move on from traumatic events, people often experience PTSD.
What if there was actually a way to help restore balance and assist the brain in re-processing traumatic memories?
A study, funded by Kaiser Permanente, found that 100% of the single-trauma victims and 77% of multiple trauma victims no longer were diagnosed with PTSD after only six 50-minute sessions.
People who have suffered for years from PTSD symptoms, including anxiety, intrusive thoughts, difficulty sleeping, and even chronic pain, are experiencing relief from a unique, relatively new therapy called Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing, or simply EMDR.
EMDR does not involve the use of drugs or hypnosis. Rather, EMDR works by using bilateral stimulation, either guided right/left eye movement, or tactile stimulation, such as tapping, to activate alternate sides of the brain. This allows the memory of traumatic experiences that are essentially "trapped" in the nervous system, to be released. Researchers believe this happens as a result of the physiological process of rerouting neuropathways through the brain.
Much like the process of learning to ride a bike builds new neuropathways that strengthen over time, the repetitive, bilateral stimulation used in EMDR allows new neuropathways to be created at the same time traumatic memories are being reprocessed and desensitized. The memories still exist, but the nervous system no longer triggers the "fight or flight" response when the memories are recalled. As a result EMDR can greatly reduce the negative impact trauma has on a person's life.
EMDR therapy is also unique, as it involves attention to three time periods: the past, present, and future. Focus is given to disturbing memories of the past, while current situations that cause distress are identified, and skills are developed for positive future actions.
While EMDR was initially developed for the treatment of PTSD, mental healthcare providers have reported a great response to when used to treat other conditions such as intense grief from loss of a loved one, generalized anxiety, phobias and addiction.
If you are a loved one are suffering from PTSD, a difficult life challenge or other condition, E-Counseling Essentials offers EMDR therapy sessions online, through trained and licensed therapists. Try it out with a free online therapy session.
*A full description of the theory, sequence of treatment, and research on protocols and active mechanisms can be found in F. Shapiro (2001) Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: Basic principles, protocols and procedures (2nd edition) New York: Guilford Press.
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Social Stigma
Unfortunately, there is still some stigma about counseling and there probably always will be. But the good news is, that it’s not at all what it used to be. Counseling treatments have been increasing in popularity and acceptance among people who have seen and experienced its benefits, not the least of whom are the clients themselves, but also insurance providers, employers, educational institutes, and charities.
Through private online therapy, E-Counseling Essentials helps eliminate the social stigma and works with you on your own terms, regarding place, via video conferencing, and at a time that works best for you. No added anxiety over awkward conversations with the boss about where you will be next Thursday at 2pm. With E-Counseling Essentials, you can schedule your counseling sessions after hours and never step into a treatment facility.
Cost
Cost is pretty universal concern. It is helpful to approach therapy costs by considering how much money it can save you. How could counseling save you money? Think about the monetary impacts of depression, addiction, or anxiety. These and many other symptoms can lead to loss of productivity and missed opportunities for success.
E-Counseling Essentials helps alleviate cost concerns by offering sliding scale fee option, which is based on your income. Many people also find they prefer group therapy to individual sessions, which allows us to greatly reduce costs by providing counseling to more people at a time.
Denial
Denial is likely the most common barrier to seeking treatment. It manifests itself in all of us and in varying degrees. When thinking about counseling, one may find themselves saying, “I’m too busy”, “It’s not that bad”, “Others have it worse”, “I’ll be fine”, or even “It didn’t happen.” Though not always spoken audibly, excuses like these are a telltale sign of denial.
Evidence of denial can reveal itself as anger, frustration, submission, anxiety, panic, depression, flashbacks, emotionless, poor appetite, disturbed sleep, and more. Please reach out to us before any such symptoms become worse. The therapists at E-Counseling Essentials are fully licensed and experts in their field. They love to help people, why not you?
You or a loved one can get started today with a free online therapy trial session.
Your or a loved one can get started with a free online therapy trial session.
If you are in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a free, 24-hour hotline, at 1-800-273-8255. If your issue is an emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.