EMDR therapy for college students in common.
In general, college is a time for exploration and pushing past old limits. This mindset, however, is not always associated with counseling or therapy. Yet, over the past 5 or 6 years, there has been a 30 percent increase in students setting appointments at counseling centers.
The need for support is real. Perhaps never more so than in 2020. So, it may be the ideal time to encourage your child to try Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Why? Let's explore what they need to know about this type of therapy.
EMDR: The Basics
EMDR is a nontraditional and relatively new form of psychotherapy. Treatments usually last for 12 sessions of about 90 minutes each.In a treatment session, your therapist will perform a series of hand motions. These usually involve moving their fingers in front of your face and asking you to follow the movements with your eyes.
At this point, you will be asked to recall a traumatic or disturbing episode in your life. More than just remembering, you will begin to feel the emotions and physical sensations that accompany this memory. Once you are in this place of reliving an event, the EMDR counselor helps you gently shift your thoughts to pleasant, positive memories or expectations. All the while, the hand and finger movements continue.
The goal is to lessen the negative impact of disturbing memory thus rendering them less disabling. It’s not as if you will forget the experience. Rather, when you think about the event, your psychological response to it will not be as strong.
Is EMDR Therapy for College Students Safe?
EMDR is considered safe and does not come with the types of side effects one might expect from a treatment dependent on medications or repeatedly recalling traumatic events. Even so, the heightened awareness you experience during treatment does not instantly vanish when the session ends. In the beginning, it can result in some lightheadedness and/or vivid dreams. However, work with a highly trained and experienced therapist will ensure you are safe and in control of your therapeutic pace. Thereby, EMDR’s side effects are virtually a non-issue and sessions are safe spaces for exploration and recovery.
Will I Be Hypnotized?
While they may appear similar upon first glance, EMDR and hypnotherapy are two very different and distinct modalities. Both can be effective and often, this may depend on a variety of factors unique to each therapist and patient. Generally, there are several key differences between hypnosis and EMDR:
During hypnosis, a state of mental relaxation is employed to tap into the conscious mind. EMDR, on the other hand, attempts to gently connect with an anxious mental state.
Hypnosis assists you in maintaining one highly focused state where you can receive and accept new ideas. EMDR allows you to maintain a dual focus by addressing your beliefs in a more positive manner while dealing with problematic memories.
The most fundamental difference is that EMDR does not induce the trance-like state attributed to hypnosis. EMDR continually grounds you by honing in on emotions and sensations as a way of remaining connected to reality.
The bottom line? If being hypnotized is something you wish to avoid, EMDR will not push that boundary.
Can EMDR Help College Students?
A recent survey found that of the college students who have sought counseling:
27 percent report relationship issues
28 percent struggle with academic performance
31 percent are dealing with family issues
45 percent are trying to manage stress
49 percent wrestle with depression
61 percent are looking for ways to cope with anxiety
Those numbers — particularly the bottom three statistics — point to a definite need for increased EMDR awareness among college students. EMDR has been proven to help manage a wide range of emotional challenges like anxiety and depression. In addition, for college students trying to recover from childhood trauma, there may be no more logical and beneficial choice than trying EMDR. It’s a strong fit for those in need of resolving stuck trauma residing in the body and mind, even emotional pain they may or may not be consciously aware of.
Get More Answers About EMDR Today!
It makes a whole lot of sense to get answers before committing to any kind of treatment plan. On top of that, college students occupy a unique position. They have both the urgent need for mental health counseling and the openness to consider a nontraditional treatment approach. Fortunately, you can get your questions answered in advance.
If you are a college student seeking relief or you know someone in that precarious position, please reach out for more information and a free consultation.
To find out more about our services in Boulder, CO click here: EMDR Therapy. Serving Boulder, Longmont, Denver.
For your other needs, you can count on April Lyons Psychotherapy Group, to help you heal and grow through EMDR therapy, somatic therapy, trauma therapy, and PTSD treatment – because we believe in your strength and potential for recovery.
