Healing Deeply Rooted Emotional Pain Through EMDR Therapy in Watertown, SD
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful, evidence-based therapy that helps individuals process and recover from deeply rooted emotional pain. Many clients seek EMDR when past events—such as abuse, accidents, grief, or emotional neglect—continue to affect their daily lives, relationships, or sense of safety.
At Aspen Counseling Services, we offer EMDR as part of our diverse suite of therapeutic approaches in Watertown, South Dakota. Our therapists specialize in tailoring treatment to each client. Whether you're an adult processing long-held trauma or a teen experiencing overwhelming stress, EMDR may be a transformative addition to your healing journey.
The Ins and Outs of EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an integrative psychotherapy approach that incorporates elements from different treatment approaches. It has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of trauma.
How Does EMDR Work?
EMDR therapy uses a technique called bilateral stimulation to repeatedly activate opposite sides of the brain. EMDR therapists will often use eye movements to facilitate bilateral stimulation. These eye movements mimic the period of sleep referred to as rapid eye movement or REM sleep, and this portion of sleep is frequently considered to be the time when the mind processes the recent events in the person’s life.
EMDR seems to help the brain reprocess the trapped memories in such a way that normal information processing is resumed. Therapists use EMDR to help clients uncover and process beliefs that developed as a result of relational traumas, or childhood abuse and/or neglect. For a more detailed explanation, please visit the EMDR Institute, Inc.
What Does EMDR Help?
EMDR had been originally established as helpful for PTSD, although it’s been proven useful for treatment in the following conditions:
- Panic Attacks
- Complicated Grief
- Dissociative Orders
- Disturbing Memories
- Phobias
- Pain Disorders
- Performance Anxiety
- Addictions
- Stress Reduction
- Sexual and/or Physical Abuse
- Body Dysmorphic Disorders
- Personality Disorders
How to Know If EMDR Is Worth Trying
None of the above symptoms or experiences fit you?
Do you experience distressing emotions that appear to you, and perhaps to others, to be excessive given the current situation? Do you tend to be reactive to certain triggers? Is there one or more dysfunctional beliefs that you believe about yourself while knowing on an intellectual level it is not true? If so, you may be a good candidate for EMDR therapy.
EMDR Therapy at Aspen Counseling
At Aspen Counseling Services, we support individuals of all ages—from children to adults—and accept most private insurance providers and EAPs. For those without coverage, we offer a sliding fee scale to make therapy more accessible. Sessions are conducted in person at our office in Watertown, creating a secure space for deep therapeutic work. In addition to EMDR, our practice offers complementary therapies such as IFS, CBT, Play Therapy, and more. If you’re interested in learning more, reach out to our team today for a free phone consultation to see if an EMDR therapist might help you release what no longer serves you.