Virtual EMDR Therapy in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City has always been a place of natural beauty and close-knit communities. The unique natural wonder of the Great Salt Lake, the serene beauty of Temple Square, and the architectural genius of the City and County Building all testify to the city’s awesomeness. Just as influential is the dark side of SLC. The city exists in an earthquake-prone area and is at a much higher risk of earthquake damage when compared to Utah’s average and the national average. Added to that is the unwanted presence of violent crimes. From January 2019 through September 2023, there were 4,317 cases of aggravated assault, according to the Police. Homicides, arson, and gang violence also rear their ugly heads on occasion.
Any experience with the dark side of Salt Lake City can cause trauma or anxiety. Whether the experience is direct or indirect is irrelevant. You don’t have to actively participate in a traumatic event to feel its effects. If you’re a resident of SLC, you already know just how emotionally intense these negative encounters can’t be. What you probably don’t know is the importance of addressing any negative emotional response to these encounters before it interferes with your daily life.
A convenient and effective approach to healing from trauma or anxiety you may have encountered as a resident of Salt Lake City is Virtual EMDR Therapy.
EMDR Therapy 101
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a unique approach to treating PTSD and other effects of trauma, anxiety, and depression.
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to activate both sides of the brain, triggering the body’s natural ability to heal in the process. Much like how the body can recover from a physical wound, therapists who adopt this process believe similar healing can happen with an emotional wound.
Unlike traditional cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), EMDR doesn’t try to alter your emotions. It targets the memory of the traumatic event and introduces positive information to the brain, reminding it that the traumatic event is over.
At the end of successful EMDR therapy, clients can still recollect the traumatic event but with less emotional intensity this time. For example, a rape victim will move from feeling horror to realizing that they’ve survived a terrible experience—the same memory but with a positively different emotional theme.
What can EMDR help with
EMDR therapy is a special therapy technique. It’s mainly used for treating:
- PTSD
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Other trauma-related conditions
EMDR can help with experiences in the past, symptoms in the present, and fears in the future such as:
- Natural disaster anxiety
- EMDR can help reduce the fear response triggered by smoke smells or light tremors.
- Urban Safety
- Process fears related to violent crimes, making you feel more at ease in your neighborhood.
- General Stress Reduction
- Develop better coping mechanisms for the various stressors unique to our growing city.
How Does Virtual EMDR Therapy Work
EMDR therapy can be done virtually, depending on your preference. Like the in-person version, your therapist will still rely on bilateral stimulation alongside standard EMDR protocol and processes.
The significant difference is you’ll be participating virtually from a place that’s convenient for you.
Virtual EMDR therapy has all the same benefits as teletherapy.
- Convenient — you get to choose when and where your sessions happen.
- Easier — you don’t need to factor in commute time, traffic, or hanging out in your therapist’s waiting room.
- Readily available — perfect for people with mobility issues and anyone living in a remote area.
- Saves cost— depending on your healthcare provider, virtual EMDR therapy saves money. No travel expenses or parking fees are necessary, either.
Therapists approach EMDR therapy in different ways — as long as the fundamental processes remain intact. Virtual EMDR therapy uses the same eight phases of treatment, including:
- History taking and treatment planning
- Preparation and explanation of the treatment
- Memory activation
- Memory desensitization
- Installation via bilateral stimulation
- Body scan (to check for any residual physical tension from the memory)
- Closure (using self-soothing techniques)
- Reevaluation (checking to see if the traumatic memory needs more processing)
How bilateral stimulation happens virtually
Although several ways exist to activate both sides of the brain (i.e., bilateral stimulation), the most common is through side-to-side eye movements. Others include auditory cues, physical tapping, and vibrating handheld devices.
I use an online program to coordinate side-to-side eye movements virtually. Under my instructions, you can look at your screen and move your eyes back and forth.
Some other therapists suggest using headphones to activate auditory bilateral stimulation.
EMDR Therapy Salt Lake City
If recent events have left you feeling anxious, on edge, or struggling to feel safe, virtual EMDR might be the key to reclaiming your peace of mind.
It doesn’t matter if it’s old trauma, new trauma, Big T or Little T trauma, anxiety, or any other life-disrupting emotion. EMDR therapy remains effective and is relied upon by at least 100,000 clinicians.
As a trauma-informed and licensed EMDR therapist serving the Salt Lake City area, I’m here to guide you through this healing journey—all from the comfort and safety of your home.
