There are several types of therapy that can be helpful for trauma, so how do you choose which is right for you?
Deciding what therapy modality to choose can be an overwhelming decision, especially when you’re looking for trauma treatment. There are two main types of therapy that we use for trauma at Pivotal Counseling Center: Trauma informed talk therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). While these types of therapy have a lot in common, including that they rely on trust between client and therapist, there are some key distinctions that can make one or the other a better choice for someone.
We’re going to walk you through the various benefits and drawbacks of each type of therapy for trauma, and how you can decide which type is right for your needs.
What is talk therapy?
Talk therapy is probably what you think of when you think of therapy – you and a therapist, talking about your issues and your history to process emotions and find healing. Talk therapy encompasses many different modalities including:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Person-Centered Therapy
- Psychoanalytic Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Art Therapy
- Internal Family Systems Therapy
- Somatic Experiencing
- Solution-Focused Therapy
Trauma informed talk therapy recognizes that many of the symptoms that bring you into therapy may be a result of trauma in your past. Your therapist will consider this in their approach, and your trauma will be considered the whole time.
What is EMDR?
The theory behind EMDR is that our brains have the ability to process trauma effectively, but sometimes that process gets interrupted and those memories get “stuck” and continue to cause distress because they haven’t been processed correctly. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to stimulate both sides of your brain as you recall a traumatic or distressing memory. Bilateral stimulation can be tapping on each shoulder, looking from side to side with your eyes at lights or someone’s hands, or sounds on each side of your body.
EMDR was developed specifically to treat trauma, but has been shown to be effective for a number of other disorders like anxiety, depression, phobias, eating disorders, and even chronic pain. You can learn more about what happens in an EMDR session here.
Pros and cons of talk therapy
Talk therapy is a classic for a reason – it works, and it works for a wide variety of issues. Talk therapy utilizes verbal processing to work through issues that are causing you distress.
Some of the benefits of talk therapy include:
- Many talk therapy modalities are evidence-based and proven to be effective
- Increased self-awareness
- Improved communication skills with others, which improves relationships overall
- Deeper understanding of patterns
- Different modalities are effective for different issues
Talk therapy is an incredibly effective method of treatment, so this isn’t to say that talk therapy isn’t helpful. There are times, however, where talk therapy will not be as effective for someone as EMDR.
Some of the drawbacks of talk therapy are:
- Talk therapy often takes longer to see results compared to EMDR, which tends to work more quickly
- Verbally processing issues can be emotionally intense, as it may require reliving the painful moments
- Progress requires introspection and understanding of your issues, triggers, and symptoms, which can be difficult for traumatic situations
Pros and cons of EMDR
EMDR is an incredibly effective style of therapy, and people who utilize it often experience a serious shift in how they feel, and quickly.
Some of the benefits of EMDR are:
- It’s evidence based, and research shows it’s extremely effective for trauma, anxiety, depression, etc.
- EMDR offers a structured treatment program – there are steps to follow that build off each other to help the treatment be effective. You don’t jump right into the trauma reprocessing, you first build coping skills to help during the emotionally intense reprocessing stage.
- It works without having to talk through a painful issue
- EMDR allows you to reprocess painful or disturbing memories so they’re permanently less distressing
While EMDR can be very effective, there are some considerations to take into account when deciding if it’s the right therapy modality for you.
Some of the drawbacks of EMDR are:
- It can be more expensive per session
- Sometimes it’s harder to find a provider who takes your insurance or has availability
- The process is still emotionally intense in a different way than talk therapy. You don’t have to talk through the traumatic memories in detail, but you still might deal with intense emotions that come up as you recall the memories.
How to choose which is right for you
Consider what your needs are
Are you dealing with an acute trauma or a distressing situation? For something specific like that, EMDR might be a better fit than talk therapy. On the other hand, if you’re looking to talk through long standing emotional issues to find patterns and make shifts, talk therapy can help facilitate that.
It’s also important to consider what you’re comfortable with. If, after reading through these descriptions, there’s a style you feel drawn to, that’s important information you can refer to when choosing a therapist. Another consideration is how you tend to process experiences – do you like to talk things out? Or are you okay with processing something without going deeper into it? Think about what would feel comfortable to you.
Have a consultation with potential therapists
It’s hard to choose what’s right for you without a professional therapist weighing in. A potential therapist can help you determine if the modality they offer will be helpful for your particular case. To determine if EMDR or talk therapy is right for you, have a consultation with a therapist or therapy practice and discuss your presenting issue and goals during intake and have your therapist weigh in on if they can help or if they can refer you to another provider who is a better fit.
Try both
It’s also okay to try both of these styles of therapy instead of choosing only one. In fact, EMDR is most effective when combined with talk therapy, so you have a place to process your trauma and a safe space to talk through everything else. Consider working with a talk therapist and a therapist who specializes in EMDR so that you can get the best of both worlds as you navigate your trauma recovery.
If you’re looking for expert mental health help, including EMDR therapy, in Lake in the Hills, Elgin, or Woodstock, Illinois, our community of therapists is here to support you. Get in touch today to get started.
Pivotal Counseling Center is now accepting Medicaid including Blue Cross Community Medicaid, Meridian Medicaid, and Molina Medicaid for outpatient counseling.
