6 Ways EMDR Therapy Can Help You Live A More Positive Life

As the New Year unfolds, it presents an opportunity for personal growth, especially for those grappling with trauma or PTSD. The journey of healing and self-improvement begins with acknowledging the impact of your experiences and giving yourself permission to seek help. Therapy, particularly approaches like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), can be transformative. They provide tools to process traumatic events, reduce the power of triggering memories, and build resilience. 

EMDR is a great first step towards healing trauma . As I described it in a recent post, EMDR is unlike many other forms of therapy. Rather than talking and analyzing, it focuses on eye and finger movements. Treatment sessions can last up to 90 minutes and are presented in eight phases. In addition, it can help you live a more positive life.

What Does a “Positive Life” Look and Feel Like?

A positive life blends moments of joy, contentment, and fulfillment. It’s where you wake up each morning with a sense of anticipation, not just for the big events, but for the simple pleasures that each day brings. Your heart feels light, often filled with gratitude for the seemingly mundane yet beautiful aspects of life. Emotionally, there’s a resilience that buffers you against the storms of life, enabling you to find silver linings even in darker times.

Optimism is your go-to attitude, coloring your view of the future with hope and possibilities. Challenges are no longer obstacles but opportunities for growth and learning.  Physically, your body echoes this positivity. There’s a spring in your step, a vitality that comes from taking care of yourself through exercise, nourishing foods, and restful sleep. This physical well-being isn’t just about the absence of illness, but a deeper sense of health that energizes your daily activities.

In this positive life, work and personal interests are in harmony. You engage in activities that resonate with your values and passions, finding fulfillment in both your professional and personal pursuits. Overall, living a positive life feels like being in tune with yourself and the world around you.  

6 Ways EMDR Therapy Can Help You Live A More Positive Life

1. Reducing the Impact of Past Trauma

One of the primary applications of EMDR is in treating PTSD and other trauma-related disorders. By processing these traumatic memories, individuals can reduce their lingering effects, leading to a significant decrease in anxiety, flashbacks, and other symptoms. This can result in a more positive outlook on life, as the individual is no longer constantly burdened by past events.

2. Improving Self-Esteem

EMDR can be effective in addressing issues of low self-esteem and negative self-perception. By reprocessing negative and self-critical thoughts, individuals can develop a more positive and realistic view of themselves, which is essential for a fulfilling and happy life.

3. Improving Sleep and Reducing Nightmares

For those who suffer from nightmares, especially related to past traumas, EMDR can be a valuable tool. By processing the traumatic memories that often fuel these nightmares, individuals can experience improved sleep quality, which is crucial for overall mental and physical health.

4. Decrease Anxiety

Anxiety is the enemy of positivity. It takes you out of the moment and sends you to a place of dread and fear. EMDR works to challenge this by changing the way you feel on a regular basis. So, you’re not forcing anything. Positivity becomes your default setting. Even when anxiety inevitably arises, you are resilient enough to manage it. This improved emotional regulation can lead to better relationships and a more stable daily life. 

5. Visualizing Success

Before you even try something, you may already see yourself failing. EMDR teaches you to visualize success. This is accomplished by fully processing a negative thought or memory. At that point, your therapist will help you “install” positive beliefs in its place.

6. Reduce Negativity

This is the whole idea, right? Less negativity means more positivity. As mentioned above, EMDR specifically targets your negative beliefs by clearing up the events that installed those beliefs. Transforming those past . influences reduces that negative feeling of being stuck. It puts you in the ideal place from which you can access the best version of you.

Getting Started With EMDR

EMDR is not your usual therapy. It requires an introduction from a seasoned pro. I am Level 1 trained in EMDR and am happy to explain the nuances — and the many benefits — of this modality. Call  today to set up a free consultation in which we’ll discuss how you might benefit from EMDR therapy with Self Care Impact.   We believe that you’ll be glad you called!

EMDR Therapy in the Denver Area

EMDR therapy can be an effective way for individuals to process and cope with the effects of trauma. If you or someone you know has experienced a traumatic event, consider seeking the support of a qualified trauma therapist who can help guide you on your healing journey.  

If you are having trouble with Trauma or PTSD we would be happy to help you find the answers you seek.  Take a look at our EMDR Therapy page for more information. Then we invite you to call us at 720-551-4553 for a free 20-minute phone consultation with a marriage specialist. You can schedule your appointment via phone, or the contact page on our website.  We look forward to hearing from you.

 Self Care Impact Counseling envisions a new age of counseling for adolescents, adults, couples & groups that makes a REAL difference with core values of GROWTH | BALANCE | COMPASSION | INNER HARMONY.