Healing PTSD Through EMDR Therapy in New Jersey

9 minute read
Skip To Section

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is an evidence-based approach proven effective for those grappling with PTSD, anxiety, and even substance use disorders. By helping the brain reprocess traumatic memories, EMDR provides a pathway to healing that doesn’t rely solely on traditional talk therapy. Whether you’re a veteran coping with combat experiences, someone overcoming personal trauma, or seeking relief from long-held emotional wounds, EMDR therapy in New Jersey offers a proven and accessible solution.

What Is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of holistic therapy involving rapid eye movement and other stimulation, like sounds or tapping, to help people heal from trauma. It was initially for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It’s typically an individual therapy that takes place twice a week, spanning a total of six to twelve sessions.

Unlike other treatments that focus on thoughts, feelings, or responses, EMDR therapy in New Jersey focuses directly on memory and alters the way a certain memory is cognized in the brain.

The Brain and Trauma

When a person experiences a traumatic event, their brain may struggle to fully process and integrate it into their memory. Instead of being stored as a normal memory, the trauma can become “frozen” in the brain, along with its associated sensory, emotional, and physical responses. This “stuck” memory can manifest in terms of intrusive thoughts, heightened anxiety, and even physical symptoms like nausea or bodily tension.

Rather than aim to suppress or avoid a traumatic memory, EMDR therapy in New Jersey leverages the link between eye movement and cognitive processing (as seen in REM sleep, for example). Guided eye movements create a dual focus of attention—on the memory and the bilateral stimulus. This dual focus prevents the individual from becoming overwhelmed by the emotional intensity of the memory, allowing for controlled re-engagement with the traumatic event.

EMDR therapy happens via licensed mental health professionals who have received specialized training and certification in EMDR techniques. These practitioners often include psychologists, counselors, social workers, and psychiatrists. Certification is typically offered through organizations like the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA).

What Is Trauma?

Trauma refers to any kind of adverse or negative experience that gets improperly assimilated into a person’s psyche. Traumatic events can vary widely — from physical harm and emotional abuse to loss or even perceived threats—but they become traumatic when the brain is not able to properly process the experience.

What Is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, such as combat, natural disasters, accidents, or assault. Symptoms of PTSD include intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares, emotional numbness, and heightened, constant anxiety.

People with PTSD often avoid reminders of the trauma and may experience significant distress or impairment in daily life. One example of this may be a combat veteran who cannot stand to hear fireworks because it reminds him of gunshots.

How Does Trauma Impact Someone’s Life?

Trauma can shape how a person views themselves and the world, often causing feelings of fear, shame, or hopelessness. It may lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as substance abuse, and create ongoing emotional or physical distress. Over time, unresolved trauma can impair an individual’s ability to fully engage in life and find a sense of safety or trust.

What Does EMDR Therapy Treat?

EMDR is a therapy primarily used to treat trauma and stress-related disorders. Some of the most common include: 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

EMDR therapy treats PTSD, a condition associated with experiencing or witnessing trauma. It helps individuals process and resolve traumatic memories, reducing emotional distress and improving daily functioning.

According to the American Psychological Association, EMDR is a first-line treatment for PTSD.

PTSD from Military Service

First responders, such as firefighters, police officers, and paramedics, may develop PTSD from exposure to life-threatening or traumatic situations. EMDR therapy aids in reducing the emotional impact of these experiences, improving resilience and mental health.

PTSD as a First Responder

Trauma from various sources, such as assaults, accidents, or sudden loss, can lead to PTSD. EMDR addresses these memories and helps individuals reprocess the trauma to reduce ongoing distress.

PTSD from Other Sources

Trauma from various sources, such as assaults, accidents, or sudden loss, can lead to PTSD. EMDR addresses these memories and helps individuals reprocess the trauma to reduce ongoing distress.

Childhood Trauma

EMDR can help individuals process traumatic childhood experiences, such as abuse or neglect, by reducing their emotional impact and facilitating healthier coping mechanisms.

meta-review found that EMDR holds significant promise for treating childhood trauma.

Domestic Violence

For survivors of domestic violence, EMDR helps process the trauma of abuse, allowing them to rebuild their sense of safety and self-worth while alleviating anxiety, depression, and fear.

Accidents and Injuries

Trauma from accidents or severe injuries can lead to PTSD-like symptoms. EMDR helps individuals process the emotional and psychological impact of these events, supporting recovery and resilience.

Natural Disasters

Survivors of natural disasters, like earthquakes or floods, may experience PTSD symptoms. EMDR helps them process the trauma, reducing emotional distress and improving their ability to cope with reminders of the event.

study of 332 participants found that EMDR was highly effective for treating trauma in victims of natural disasters.

Self-Assessment: Am I Addicted?
Contact Form
Would you like help?

Fill out the form below and one of our admissions team members will reach out to you:

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

What Is EMDR Therapy in New Jersey Like?

EMDR Therapy in New Jersey follows a structured approach, with a typical treatment involving eight phases.

Here’s an overview of the process:

  1. History Taking and Treatment Planning

In the initial phase, the therapist gathers information about the client’s history and current issues. This includes understanding the trauma and its impact on the person’s life. The therapist will also develop a treatment plan and identify target memories to work on.

  1. Preparation

The therapist explains how EMDR works and what the client can expect. This phase includes teaching relaxation techniques to help the client feel safe and grounded during the therapy, such as deep breathing or visualization.

  1. Assessment

In this phase, the therapist helps the client identify specific memories related to the trauma to target during the session. The client is asked to recall details of the traumatic event, including associated thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. The therapist also helps identify negative beliefs related to the trauma (e.g., “I am powerless”) and their positive alternatives (e.g., “I am in control”).

  1. Desensitization

This is where the actual EMDR technique comes into play. The therapist guides the client through bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements) while the client recalls the traumatic memory. The goal is to reduce the emotional intensity of the memory by stimulating both sides of the brain. The client may notice changes in how they feel about the memory or their ability to process it.

  1. Installation

Once the distress around the traumatic memory has been reduced, the therapist helps the client install a positive belief to replace the negative one. For example, if the negative belief was “I am helpless,” it might be replaced with “I am resilient.” The goal is for the client to truly believe this positive belief.

  1. Body Scan

In this phase, the client is asked to mentally scan their body for any residual tension or discomfort linked to the trauma. If any physical sensations are present, bilateral stimulation is used to process and release them, further reducing the impact of the trauma.

  1. Closure

At the end of each session, the therapist ensures the client feels stable and safe before leaving. If the memory hasn’t been fully processed, the therapist may offer grounding techniques or relaxation exercises to help the client regain emotional balance. The therapist will also summarize the progress made during the session.

  1. Reevaluation

At the beginning of the next session, the therapist checks in with the client to see how they’ve been since the last session. They assess whether the memory or associated emotions have changed, and if needed, the therapist may revisit or address any unresolved issues or new memories that may have come up.

EMDR generally takes place over six to twelve sessions held once or twice a week. After each session, clients may experience emotional shifts, such as feeling lighter, less distressed, or even emotional release. Some may also experience temporary emotional discomfort or increased vividness of the memory as the brain continues processing. The therapist will help guide the client through these reactions and provide coping techniques.

Using EMDR in New Jersey as Part of an Overall Recovery Plan

Individualized therapy is a cornerstone of Footprints to Recovery. This means EMDR therapy in New Jersey may be prescribed as part of an individualized treatment plan based on a medical assessment.

Other aspects of the treatment plan may include:

  • Dual Diagnosis Treatment: For individuals with both mental health and substance use disorders, both conditions must be treated together because they feed into each other.
  • Attendance in 12-step Programs: Involvement in 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) provides clients with peer support, accountability, and a structured recovery path, which can be an essential complement to therapy and help sustain long-term sobriety.
  • Holistic Treatment: Holistic approaches focus on healing the entire person—body, mind, and spirit—by integrating practices like yoga, meditation, acupuncture, and nutrition counseling to promote physical well-being and emotional balance during recovery.
  • Case Management: Case management helps coordinate care by ensuring clients have access to necessary resources, such as medical appointments, employment services, or housing assistance, helping them navigate their recovery journey more effectively.
  • Medication Management: Medication management consists of the use of special medications to treat cravings or withdrawal symptoms, supervised by a nurse or doctor.
  • Life Skills Training: Life skills training offers clients practical tools for managing daily challenges, including budgeting, time management, communication, and problem-solving, which can help them lead more independent and fulfilling lives post-treatment.

EMDR therapy in New Jersey is a critical tool that fits within a broader recovery plan. The individualized approach ensures that EMDR addresses trauma while other therapeutic methods work to support emotional, relational, and psychological healing.

Psychotherapies for PTSD and Trauma

There are a variety of psychotherapies for trauma.

Aside from EMDR therapy in New Jersey, these include:

All these therapies can be found at Footprints to Recovery.

Holistic Treatment for Trauma

Holistic treatment for trauma aims to treat the whole person – mind, body, and spirit.

Therapies include:

Holistic treatments and evidence-based psychotherapy like EMDR therapy in New Jersey address the mind-body connection, promoting overall wellness and balance. Combining these with more traditional, evidence-based approaches like CBT and medication management allows for a more comprehensive, personalized recovery plan that addresses all aspects of the individual’s experience.

PTSD Treatment Near Me in New Jersey

If you are looking for PTSD treatment, EMDR therapy in NJ at our counseling center could be a great option for you. Our treatment programs provide a comprehensive range of services, including medical detox, inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization, and outpatient therapy.

Contact us now for a free consultation to learn more about the admissions process, meet an EMDR therapist, and start your insurance verification. Take the first step toward a life without substance abuse, trauma, and PTSD.

Pierce Willians
David Szarka
Medically Reviewed by David Szarka, MA, LCADC
Are you covered for addiction treatment? Find your insurance
We're Here 24/7
Call right now to chat about:
Questions about treatment options?

Our admissions team is available 24/7 to listen to your story and help you get started with the next steps.