Treating Sexual Trauma with EMDR

Sexual Trauma & EMDR

In the United States, one in three women and one in six men will experience some form of sexual abuse. Needless to say, most people do not know how to cope with sexual trauma let alone deal with the resulting array of emotions – anger, fear, shame and so much more.

Trauma affects people in different ways. Whether society sees their traumatic experience as a big T or little t does not matter, it is how the recipient perceives it and handles it is what matters.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy technique that combines physical stimulation with guided remembrance and processing of traumatic events. It has been used to successfully treat people who suffer from panic attacks, anxiety, PTSD, and other emotional issues no matter their cause.

There have been multiple studies done on the effectiveness of EMDR treatment on victims of sexual abuse:

·       The effectiveness of EMDR with adult female survivors of childhood sexual abuse

·       Treating Military Sexual Trauma with EMDR Therapy

·       Efficacy of EMDR in children: A meta-analysis

Unlike traditional therapies, EMDR therapy does not require clients to relate his or her trauma aloud or cover it in any particular sequence. A session allows the client to revisit disturbing traumatic events in small doses while simultaneously focusing on external stimulus – tapping, music and more.

EMDR therapy has been found to be effective on both adult and child victims of sexual abuse. It also tends to work more quickly than other therapeutic methods for many patients. According to Social Work Today, EMDR “…essentially asks clients to put their traumatic memories in a container and then pull them out to look at bit by bit… the container concept is a major reason…EMDR can work more quickly and effectively.”

About the Author

Neeley R. Hughey, PhD, LMHC, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) and Certified Life with over 20 years of experience specializing in CPTSD, PTSD, Trauma, Depression and Anxiety.

Call 321.757.4015 to make an appointment with Neeley or one of our other EMDR trained therapists.