The calm after the storm. Heal from trauma with EMDR therapy NC.

When I was younger, I often felt like my emotions were a whirlwind spinning out of control. Many of the clients I work with describe their depression in similar terms. It’s something beyond their control—something happening to them—like a tide that leaves them feeling heavy and sad. In my studies, I’ve learned how those feelings are formed by past experiences and trauma. They result from complex chemical and physiological interactions in our brains–and while sometimes that may require medication, tools such as EMDR offer us another way to rewire our systems and change how those processes work.

While EMDR was originally developed as a means of treating PTSD, I have seen first-hand how effective it can be in treating depression as well. In today’s post, I’ll explore how EMDR works for depression and how you can determine whether or not it may be helpful for you.

Depression & Trauma

We often think of depression as an issue of chemistry, but the truth is that the relationship between our conscious minds and the chemistry of our bodies is complex. Traumatic experiences change the way our brains process emotions and store memories. It’s no coincidence that feelings of shame, guilt, and self-loathing are common features of both depression and trauma.

Dandelion being held at sunset. Recover from trauma and depression. EMDR Therapy for depression NC.

While we often tend to associate trauma with extreme events, the reality is that it’s best to think of it in terms of our autonomic nervous system. A sense of danger can trigger our fight-or-flight instinct which is the sympathetic nervous system. Then our bodies undergo complex changes: our brains send signals to pump out stress hormones like cortisol and stress hormones, our heart rate picks up, and our blood pressure drops. These changes are all built-in survival mechanisms beyond our control in many ways, which help us get mobilized to respond and take action to restore safety. However, when action taking doesn’t work and we feel trapped, the dorsal vagal pathway of the parasympathetic branch takes over which leads to collapse and shutdown. It is often experienced as depression, lack of energy and motivation, hopelessness, and/or dissociation

A further complication? That reaction is entirely subjective. What’s traumatic to a child may not be traumatic to an adult—and what’s traumatic to one person might not be to another. But during periods of extreme stress, those chemical changes can actually alter the way our brains develop and function.

What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR therapy is a unique type of psychotherapy that allows individuals to change negative thought patterns and behaviors by reprocessing underlying experiences and traumas that give rise to them. The AIP (Adaptive Information Processing) model, which EMDR is rooted in, suggests that people return to good mental health naturally over time. However, traumatic experiences, high-stress levels, and substance abuse can disrupt these natural processes. EMDR therapy is a method for repairing those healing processes when they have been interrupted.

Treating Depression with EMDR

In treating depression, EMDR relies on the neuroplasticity of the brain and its natural ability to heal. By combining bilateral stimulation of the brain with guided therapy, individuals are able to reprocess negative memories and restore good mental health.

  • Identify traumatic experiences
  • Change negative belief patterns
  • Improved sense of self-esteem
  • Increase emotional regulation
Woman with coffee sitting at table. Trauma informed therapist near me. Wilmington NC. Cary NC. EMDR.

How Does EMDR Work?

EMDR is a structured, eight-phase process that begins with history & assessment before diving into the EMDR process. It can be conducted in person or online from the comfort of your own home. This makes it ideal for treating people with depression. During a working EMDR session, the therapist uses bilateral stimulation (such as rapid back-and-forth eye movements) to activate specific areas of the memory network. While these areas are active, traumatic memories can be reprocessed in a safe environment. According to the AIP model, this allows the brain to integrate the memory properly and heal naturally.

Most clients can expect to see results after 8 – 12 sessions.

Schedule a Consultation

As a certified EMDR therapist, I’ve seen first-hand how life-changing EMDR therapy can be in treating depression. It’s a safe, non-pharmacological approach, and a wealth of research supports its effectiveness. To learn more, please schedule a free consultation.