Trauma can manifest itself in many different ways, especially through emotional and physical reactions when recalling events from the past. Oftentimes, individuals are unaware that what they are feeling is related to a past traumatic event.
Trauma can affect us in ways such as exhaustion, anxiety, paranoia, panic attacks, digestive issues, or mood swings.
Research shows that one effective way to treat trauma is through Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing or EMDR therapy in Los Angeles. This process can help you rewire the connection between thoughts and emotions, allowing you to reprocess a traumatic event so you no longer have the same reaction.
Developed in 1989 by Francine Shapiro, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of psychotherapy intended to alleviate distress from traumatic memories. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) often occurs after individuals have been through military combat, severe accidents, or physical/sexual assault.
Unlike other forms of treatment, EMDR uses a patient’s rhythmic eye movement to dull the power of emotionally charged traumatic events.
EMDR therapy, according to a number of clinical studies, is an effective form of therapy. EMDR offers many benefits for the individual going through treatment. It can help overcome addiction, manage anxiety without medication, and recover from traumatic experiences.
EMDR treatment works to reprogram the way you think, replacing negative thoughts and associations with more positive feelings. As a result, the trauma therapy might have more lasting effects. This effective treatment is non-invasive and easy to complete. EMDR therapy may also help with the ability to form better interpersonal relationships while overcoming past traumas.
EMDR works by assisting our brain in reprocessing thoughts that we associate with the traumatic event that we experienced. This involves bilateral stimulation, such as rapid eye movement, tapping, or acoustic sounds.
At No Matter What, our EMDR therapist will work with you to address which traumatic memories are getting triggered in the present. Together, you’ll isolate and tackle these.
The first step into overcoming traumatic memories is to work on reprocessing them. Traumatic memories are connected to other memories, so our therapist will work with you to reprocess and find your way back to the traumatic event in a safe space.
Bi-lateral stimulation, or BLS for short, is a process that can take a couple different forms, such as pulsars, audio tones, tapping, or guided eye movements. Our therapist will guide you through this step, with the goal being to connect both sides of your brain and change your trauma triggers.
After engaging in BLS, our trauma therapist will help you recover from any lingering triggers that might cause you to reassociate that traumatic memory with other memories again. We’ll help you recover from each traumatic event influencing your present.
EMDR therapy can be an effective treatment option for individuals in substance abuse treatment. Drug and alcohol addiction often stem from unresolved trauma, and EMDR therapy helps individuals reprocess traumatic memories while reducing their emotional and physical impact. For many people in the LGBTQ+ and queer community, substance use may also be connected to experiences such as rejection, discrimination, identity-related trauma, anxiety, or shame. By addressing the underlying causes of addiction, EMDR therapy can help individuals develop healthier coping mechanisms, improve emotional regulation, and reduce the risk of relapse.
At No Matter What Recovery, our licensed and trained therapists offer EMDR therapy as part of individualized treatment plans across all levels of care. Our program focuses on addressing the root causes of addiction and mental health conditions, including unresolved trauma, anxiety, depression, and other co-occurring challenges. We proudly provide trauma-informed and LGBTQ+ affirming care, recognizing that many individuals in the queer community have experienced rejection, discrimination, identity-related stress, or other forms of emotional trauma connected to substance use.
During the admissions process, we will work closely with you to determine the level of care that best fits your needs and whether trauma recovery should be a primary focus of treatment. At No Matter What Recovery, we believe that addressing trauma is an essential part of long-term healing, and we are committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based support every step of the way.
Our highest level of care for trauma recovery would be our partial hospitalization program, also known as PHP treatment. Our PHP program involves a patient coming in to our treatment center for 8 or more hours per day, ever day of the week. Outside of residential treatment, it is the highest level of care a person can seek for trauma.
A step down from our PHP, our intensive outpatient program is our intermediate level of care. Our IOP is meant for patients who need care several days out of the week, but don’t need it every single day. During the times that a patient attends our facility, we’ll work both one-on-one and as a group to overcome their traumatic experiences.
Our outpatient program is our lowest level of care, typically involving a patient only coming in once or twice per week for several hours at a time. During their time with us, a typical patient in our OT will perform individualized trauma-informed care. We’ll also be sure to involve the patient in group activities, such as group therapy and retreats.
No Matter What Recovery specializes in providing outpatient treatment to the LGBTQI+ community in the greater Los Angeles area. We pride ourselves on putting the health of individuals who identify as LGBTQI+ (and allies) first and foremost.
We know members of our community struggle with unique situations and past traumas, such as discrimination and marginalization, that can often lead to problems with substance abuse and mental health. We’ve been there before and so we want to help and give back to our community. Our EMDR therapy takes into account a person’s unique background, sexual orientation, and gender identity and ultimately seeks to reduce the negative impact of traumatic memories.
EMDR therapy might seem a little daunting at first. Rest assured, this evidence-based trauma treatment can be beneficial for PTSD and traumatic experiences.
When you work with No Matter What Recovery, you’re receiving treatment tailored to your specific needs. When it comes to our clients, we understand that no two experiences are the same. For that reason, we take an individualized approach to create treatment plans for every person. Whatever your circumstances, our EMDR therapists and mental health and addiction treatment professionals are here for you.
Don’t let your trauma be in control any longer. If you or a loved one are struggling with trauma, you can learn more about EMDR therapy in Los Angeles for trauma and PTSD, by contacting us at (323) 515-1396.
Monica received an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University, a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Colorado, and is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Monica received an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University, a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Colorado, and is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
