If you're going to come to sex therapy, you want to know it'll work. It's hard to open up. Especially about intimate, vulnerable issues. You're tired of the way things have been. You're tired of being stuck and you're ready to move forward. You just need a little help to do that. This is where EMDR comes into the picture.

What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a scientifically validated integrative psychotherapy. It is a process that was discovered by Dr. Francine Shapiro, a psychologist in Palo Alto in 1987. It is based on the philosophy that human beings are capable under appropriate conditions of naturally moving toward greater health and integration. When a stressful or traumatic event occurs, it seems to get locked in the nervous system with the original picture, sounds, thoughts and feelings. This information can become distorted and can significantly affect our feelings about these events. The eye movements used in EMDR appear to unlock the nervous system which allows the brain to re-integrate positive information. The procedure includes reprocessing of negative, distorted self-thoughts associated with the trauma to positive, true self-beliefs.

The repetitive eye movements stimulate optical nerve clusters to loosen disturbing thoughts, which are frozen and stored, and process them to resolution. Simply by providing side-to-side, bi-lateral stimulation to a person while discussing traumatic events or feelings of any kind in a specific therapeutic fashion, EMDR works wonders in allowing a person to heal. The key seems to be the alternating stimulation of the right and left sides of the brain.

Does EMDR Really Work?

At Sexual Wellness Institute, we use EMDR because it works. It helps people get unstuck, resolve issues where you've felt stuck for a long time and move forward with renewed confidence.

EMDR has had more published case reports and research to support it than any other method used in the treatment of trauma. Over 20,000 clinicians have been trained worldwide. In many ways is has shown to be more effective and easier to access than hypnotherapy. It is a proven technique for working with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, self-limiting beliefs, and hard to break patterns.

Flow chart of the EMDR Process with four circles, with the following wording: 1. History: Review history. Identify issues. Develop treatment plan. 2. Preparation: Establish safety. Connect with internal resources. Learn to self-soothe. Renew secure bond. 3. Assessment: Identify the disturbing event. Identify the corresponding emotions. Create a positive belief statement. 4. Desensitization: Conduct bilateral stimulation. React to new insights and associations. Continue until disturbing emotions are reduced. At the bottom of the image, it says: The process continues with the client experiencing the positive belief as true, identifying any remaining emotion, closing the session and re-evaluating at the next session.

How can EMDR Help with Sexual Concerns?

EMDR is best known for helping with trauma, but the mental health world is quickly learning that it can help with a wide range of concerns. More specifically, EMDR can help with several different types of sexual concerns. Therefore, we have sex therapists trained to use this effective counseling technique to help resolve sexual trauma, treat low libido/low desire and improve early ejaculation, erectile dysfunction or delayed ejaculation in men.

EMDR for Sexual Trauma

Often we find that a history of unwanted or forced sexual contact can impact how we feel about sex as a whole. We can get "stuck" feeling a certain way about sex and ourselves can EMDR can help with. Examples of these feelings that can be worked through are:

Sex is "gross", "dirty", or "shameful"
I should feel shameful about my sexual desire
I am a bad person
I did something wrong
I feel out of control

EMDR for Low Sexual Desire

With Low Desire, old messages about sex and sexuality can be one thing that interferes with your sexual desire in the present. These old, often negative messages or images related to sexual desire may get "stuck" within you either from adulthood or that started at a young age. Examples of these feelings that can be worked through with EMDR are:

I am shameful or my desire is shameful
Sex is only for procreation
It is wrong to show anyone that I want to have sex
My desires or wants are "weird"

EMDR for Early Ejaculation, Erectile Dysfunction or Delayed Ejaculation

When things aren't working the way we want them to when it comes to sex, it can bring up all kinds of negative thoughts and feelings. These difficult internal feelings about ourselves can then continue the cycle and make it even more difficult for these to "work." For example, for a man having an erection concern, he can often feel shameful, like "less of man", or constantly worred about it "never working again". EMDR can help with process these feelings and come up with more rational and helpful thoughts. Therefore, EMDR can often be used in sex therapy sessions to treat early ejaculation, erectile dysfunction and/or Delayed Ejaculation

Photo of beach/ocean, with clouds, all in shades of blue and gray for peaceful thoughts around sexual trauma and therapy. EMDR is available to treat past sexual trauma in the Minneapolis area.

What Can I Expect to Gain from EMDR Therapy?

EMDR Reduces and often eliminates these symptoms: abrupt mood swings. rage reactions/temper tantrums. feelings of shame. sleep difficulties. intrusive thoughts/flashbacks. attraction to dangerous situations. inability to love/nurture/bond. amnesia/forgetfulness. frequent crying. nightmares/night terrors. inability to make commitments, depression, feelings of impending doom, diminished interest in life, feelings of detachment and isolation, exaggerated emotional and startle responses.

You know those negative feelings about yourself or your sexuality that you've been struggling with? After going through EMDR therapy successfully you can expect that you have come up with healthier ways of thinking that will impact your sexuality in a positive way. When we can think about our sexuality as a good or healthy phenomenon, sexual "dysfunctions" will likely dissipate.

Examples of these new, healthier ways of thinking about your sexuality may include:

I feel empowered by my sexuality
I am in control of my sexuality
My sexuality is beautiful and awesome
I am okay the way I am
There is no one "right" way to have sex

Begin EMDR Therapy in the Minneapolis Area

Beginning EMDR therapy with one of our skilled sex therapists at our Plymouth, MN counseling office can be simple and worry-free. Set your doubts and fears aside and let us help address trauma or unsettling experiences that have been hard to shake. All you have to do to get started is:

Schedule a free consultation
Meet with one of our sex therapists
Begin your journey toward a more fulfilling sexual relationship

Other Sexual Wellness Institute Services

Sexual concerns often have many layers. We know these issues are complex so, at Sexual Wellness Institute, we also offer sexual desire therapy, couples counseling and specialized services for teens. Let us enhance your sexual health in a meaningful and comprehensive way. Ask your therapist about additional resources in your area.

EMDR/Sexual Trauma Therapy