5 Ways EMDR Can Improve Your Relationship with Yourself and Others
When I became a therapist, I was so excited to take on the role of being a co-pilot in another person’s journey towards healing. Whether this was by providing a space where a person could talk through their innermost experiences or aiding my client’s in developing the skills they needed to navigate day-to-day challenges with their mental health, I committed myself to supporting my clients in becoming the most resilient version of themselves. As time went on, I noticed that processing emotions, reframing beliefs about oneself, and practicing coping skills through traditional talk therapy was not always enough to help my clients heal the trauma and deep emotional pain they were experiencing. One common conversation my clients and I would have would include them saying “logically, I know that this thought doesn’t make sense but I just can’t stop feeling this way.” As hard as they tried to think about and intellectualize their emotional experiences, they noticed a persistent feeling of stuckness and frustration about therapy. Witnessing these client experiences made me realize that sometimes in order to heal a more comprehensive approach that connects the mind and body in a different way may, at times, be necessary. This is when I discovered Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) and discovered that this was the missing piece some clients needed in order to heal.
EMDR is a specialized therapy that was developed to help people process and resolve emotional distress. EMDR works by using bilateral stimulation, such as tapping or guided eye movements, to help the brain reprocess painful emotional experiences, thoughts, or beliefs that contribute to anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges. If you have ever felt like simply talking through your emotions and past experiences wasn’t enough and you're looking for more support in therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) may be the approach for you. One of the many benefits of EMDR therapy in Washington, DC is the ways it can improve an individual’s outlook on themselves and others. Particularly in the universal thread that binds us as humans: our relationships. If you want to know just how EMDR can help improve your relationship not just with others, but the relationship you can never quite escape from: the relationship you have with yourself, read on!
5 Ways EMDR Can Improve Your Relationships With Yourself and Others:
1) EMDR Helps Us Heal Old Wounds
Trauma can leave lasting scars that affect how we interact with ourselves and others. If you’ve experienced relationship trauma, whether it’s from childhood, a difficult relationship, or another life event, it can influence your beliefs, behaviors, and emotional responses in ways that affect how you view yourself and how you approach relationships. By processing traumatic experiences, EMDR helps to reduce the emotional intensity of these experiences and integrate them into a healthier psychological framework. For example, EMDR can help someone process past experiences where they felt like they were unworthy of love and develop a more balanced perspective about themselves that then allows them to feel more confident and secure in the dating process.
2) Builds Self-Awareness
EMDR builds self-awareness by helping you attune to the many aspects of the present moment including your thoughts, physical sensations, and emotions as well as how your past and present experiences affect you in the moment. With this new found awareness, you will become more adept to your triggers, emotions, and needs, thereby allowing you to engage more mindfully in your relationships with yourself and others.
3) Improves Emotional Regulation
Emotional regulation is the ability to cope with your emotional responses in a healthy and constructive manner. EMDR addresses emotional regulation in two ways: through resource building and desensitization. During the resourcing phase, you will create a tool box skills you can use to help manage overwhelming emotions. Some of these skills include deep breathing, visualizing a calming place, noticing objects associated with your five senses, and engaging in progressive muscle relaxation. EMDR helps improve emotional regulation by addressing the underlying triggers that cause intense emotional reactions. During EMDR sessions, you work on desensitizing these triggers, whether they’re related to specific memories, fears, or negative beliefs. Over time, decreased emotional reactivity leads to more balanced and measured emotional responses to life’s challenges. Improved emotional regulation means you’re better equipped to handle conflicts and stress in your relationships. Instead of reacting impulsively, you can respond thoughtfully, leading to more fulfilling interactions with others.
4) Boosts Self-Esteem
EMDR helps to build self-esteem by reprocessing the negative experiences and beliefs that contribute to low self worth. During the EMDR process, you will reprocess experiences that formed negative beliefs about yourself and provide you the space to develop new positive beliefs. For example, if you have a deeply ingrained belief that you’re unworthy, EMDR can help you explore where this belief comes from and work to replace it with a healthier, more balanced belief. Improving your self-esteem through EMDR can help you feel more confident, competent and able to perform at work, take on new tasks or responsibilities or pursue new friendships, or romantic relationships.
5) Helps With Effective Communication
Effective communication is key to any healthy relationship. However, unresolved emotional issues can interfere with your ability to communicate openly and effectively. For example, if you fear rejection, you might avoid difficult conversations, leading to misunderstandings and unresolved issues. EMDR therapy in Washington, DC can enhance your communication skills by helping you process and move past the fears and insecurities that hold you back. As you become more emotionally balanced and secure, you’ll find it easier to express your needs, set boundaries, and engage in open, honest communication. Additionally. EMDR can help desensitize emotional experiences that trigger feelings of defensiveness and improve your ability to navigate conflict effectively.
In summary, EMDR is a powerful therapy that can transform the way you relate to yourself and others. By addressing the root causes of emotional pain, improving self-compassion, and enhancing communication and conflict resolution skills, EMDR therapy in Washington, DC helps you build healthier, more fulfilling relationships. Whether you’re struggling with unresolved emotional trauma, low self-esteem, or relationship challenges, EMDR can offer the tools you need to create stronger, more positive connections in your life.
If you are interested in starting EMDR, please reach out to The Sterling Group for a consultation with one of our EMDR trained therapists.
Continue Your Healing Journey with EMDR Therapy in Washington, DC
Starting therapy, especially with EMDR, is a courageous step toward healing, and it’s completely normal to feel uncertain or drained along the way. Healing from relationship trauma is a journey, and it’s okay to experience discomfort as you work through your emotions. Prioritizing self-care is essential as you navigate these challenges and build resilience. At The Sterling Group, our dedicated team offers EMDR therapy in Washington, DC, to support you through every phase of this journey. Here’s how you can get started:
Get in touch with us for a consultation.
Schedule your first session with an EMDR therapist in Washington, DC
Focus on self-care and finding your balance as you begin your healing journey.
Other Therapy Services Offered in Washington, DC & Throughout VA
Our caring therapists offer a variety of services to support you and your mental health needs. If you need individual support, we offer Individual Therapy, Executive Function Support, EMDR Therapy, and IFS Therapy. As well as self-esteem counseling, LGBTQIA+ therapy, life transition counseling, and more!
Our therapists are available for both in-person sessions in Washington, DC, and online therapy in Virginia, making it convenient for you to prioritize healing yourself. We'd love to discuss how we can support your growth in all areas of your life today!
About The Author, a EMDR Therapist in Washington, D.C.
Jess Attas is a highly experienced EMDR therapist in Washington, DC and an IFS Level 1 trained therapist. She’s a Clinical Social Worker/Therapist who works with individuals and couples addressing a wide range of mental health and interpersonal challenges. This includes trauma, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, dating, relationships, and challenging family dynamics.
