Why EMDR is a Helpful Treatment for Sexual Abuse Survivors

In the United States, one in three women and one in six men will experience sexual abuse in their lifetime. This is according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC). When sexual abuse happens, many people don't know how to cope with what happened. Many struggle to express their feelings in a healthy way. This often results in feelings of fear and shame. This is why so many people never share their stories. The problem is, when you experience something as devastating as sexual abuse, it changes how you feel about yourself and others. Over time, people often develop depression and anxiety. NSVRC reports that 81% of female victims and 35% of male victims will develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The more you hold it in, the more shame and despair can grow inside you.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy technique. It's often used to treat people suffering from panic attacks, anxiety, and PTSD, or a variety of other emotional issues. Before EMDR, treatment for these issues would be through cognitive behavioral therapy alone. While this treatment can be successful, it often takes many sessions for the most relief. But EMDR is recognized as a breakthrough modality. This is because it can bring quick and lasting relief from a variety of emotional distress.

Even better, EMDR does not need you to hash through all the details of your abuse out loud. Instead, it works from the 'inside-out'. Instead of using words, EMDR uses your brain's natural processing systems to: 1) Turn down the volume of your distress 2) Help you make new connections so you can get 'unstuck' 3) Help you believe something positive about yourself again. When we experience trauma such as sexual abuse, our brain becomes overwhelmed. We experience the symptoms of anxiety, shame, depression, and PTSD. Through EMDR, people can process trauma until it no longer disturbs or disrupts their lives.

It's believed EMDR 'rewires' the brain on a fundamental level. This is much like what happens during REM sleep! Instead of a traumatic memory causing instant emotional and physical distress, it becomes linked to a larger context of your own life experiences. EMDR helps put the trauma into a better perspective. Doing so allows you to access your body's natural coping strategies. But EMDR is more than a set of techniques. It is a way for all people to understand their human potential. EMDR therapy allows people a glimpse of any limiting false beliefs they may be holding onto, such as 'I'm not good enough.'

Have you or someone you know been the victim of sexual abuse? If you're interested in exploring EMDR treatment, please be in touch. We would be happy to discuss how this technique may be able to help you.

Overcoming past trauma takes dedication, time, and the right support. Our team of therapists would be happy to help you from our Round Rock, TX-based therapy practice and across the state via online therapy. To start your therapy journey, please follow these simple steps:

EMDR isn't the only service offered at our Round Rock and Austin therapy offices. Our team also offers therapy for depression, domestic violence, sexual assault, anger management, and PTSD. We are happy to support a wide range of clients. This includes support for children, teens and young adults, men, couples, and the LGBTQ community. Learn more by contacting us or visiting our blog today!