Our Approach to EMDR Treatment
Each of our treatment programs provides teens with access to EMDR and other trauma-focused mental health therapies. Teens participate in EMDR weekly or bi-weekly depending on their level of care. EMDR is highly effective, with a success rate of 84 to 90% in reducing symptoms in individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after just three sessions.
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What is EMDR Therapy for Teens?
According to the National Institute of Health, over 70% of teens in substance abuse treatment have suffered from a traumatic experience. EMDR is designed for the treatment of trauma and PTSD and is effective in helping teens recover from addiction.
It is a structured approach to treating trauma, using guided eye movements, auditory and somatic stimulation to process traumatic memories stored deep in the brain. EMDR addresses past traumas and helps build resilience in teens to overcome future challenges.
Phase 1: History Taking
The EMDR therapist takes a psychological history, identifies target memories, and develops a tailored treatment plan, working collaboratively with the teen.
Phase 2: Preparation & Resourcing
The therapist educates and prepares the teen for what to expect during treatment. This is a good time for your teen to ask questions or address any concerns.
Phase 3: Assessment
During this phase, the teen focuses on the target memories and associated emotional distress to be reprocessed. The therapist helps bring these memories into awareness through memory recall.
Phase 4: Desensitization
The therapist stimulates the brain through guided eye movements and auditory stimulation such as tapping or vibrations. This encourages the brain to enter a state that makes it easier to process trauma and distress. This phase is repeated until teens become desensitized to the memory and it no longer causes them distress.
Phase 5: Installation
This is when memories identified in phase 3 are installed to replace the distressful memory. The therapist helps integrate new beliefs into the teen's awareness.
Phase 6: Body Scan
The therapist guides the teen through a mindfulness meditation practice to check for physical sensations or reactions in the body. This phase helps calm the nervous system and release any distress that emerges during the session.
Phase 7: Closure
This marks the end of the session. The therapist brings teens back to the present moment by utilizing grounding techniques which helps them calm their thoughts and process their EMDR experience.
Phase 8: Reevaluation
At the beginning of each session, the therapist and teen review previous results and discuss how they are currently feeling and assess for any new stressors. This ensures treatment goals are still aligned with their mental health needs. A new target may be addressed depending on this evaluation.
Benefits of EMDR Therapy For Teens
Evidence-Based
Covered By Insurance
Develop Mindfulness
Improve Emotional Regulation
Strengthen Relationships
Positively Cope with Stress
EMDR Treatment: Tailored for The Teen Brain
Daily Therapy Structure
Teens in our residential and partial hospitalization program participate in frequent therapy sessions with an EMDR trained therapist. This intense course of treatment can help teens with co-occurring mental health disorders see an improvement in symptoms in four to six weeks.
Evidence-Based, Trauma-Informed
EMDR is an evidence-based approach with significant research to support its validity. The World Health Organization recognizes it as a first-line treatment for trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Safe, Supervised, Guided Sessions
EMDR is a structured, 8-phase approach led by a trained EMDR therapist. During the session, the therapist stimulates deep regions of the brain that store traumatic memories using guided eye movements and tapping sounds or vibrations. This makes it easier for teens to work through trauma and process emotional distress.
Relapse Prevention
Attending regular therapy sessions even after finishing a residential treatment program is essential for teens in long-term recovery. EMDR is a valuable tool for long-term healing, helping teens work through underlying trauma that drives substance abuse and preventing relapse as they transition home.
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Hear from Parents: Real Stories of Healing
T. McN
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Lotus patient
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Lotus patient
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Lotus patient
FAQs About EMDR For Adolescents
Do you provide a mental health assessment?
When your teen first arrives for treatment, whether it be inpatient or intensive outpatient, we conduct a substance abuse assessment and mental health evaluation. Part of this includes reviewing their psychiatric history to understand their mental health diagnosis better and what treatments they have tried in the past.
How often does my teen attend EMDR sessions?
Depending on their level of care, teens may attend EMDR sessions daily, weekly, or bi-weekly. EMDR typically includes 6 to 12 sessions, and each session is 60 to 90 minutes.
Can my teen receive medication during EMDR treatment?
Yes. Although therapists do not prescribe medication, many teens attend EMDR therapy while also under the medical care of a psychiatrist. A combination of medication and therapy is shown to have highly successful treatment outcomes for teens in recovery from substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders.
Do you accept insurance for EMDR?
Yes, we accept most major insurance providers, including Cigna, Aetna, BlueCross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Lucet, Optum, Tricare, Humana, and Bright Healthcare. Speak with one of our admissions members to verify insurance and find the best treatment plan for your teen.
Help Your Teen Break The Cycle of Trauma And Begin Their Path to Sobriety.
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