EMDR at Pennsylvania Recovery Center

A Nation of Trauma

We are a traumatized nation with 60% of men and 50% of females in this country experiencing at least one trauma in their lifetime. Approximately 15 million adults can be clinically diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) at some point in their lives. One-quarter (18.25 million) of all children live with a family member or parent addicted to drugs or alcohol and more than two-thirds (48 million) reported experiencing at least one traumatic event by age 16. Approximately 1 in 6 children experience child abuse and/or neglect each year.

Adverse Childhood Experiences Impact on Mental Health

Based on the longitudinal outcomes of the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Study we now know that trauma and toxic stress in childhood directly correlate with poor health outcomes, maladaptive coping mechanisms, and lower life expectancy. The ACEs study established a clear link between trauma and toxic stress in childhood with 7 out of the 10 leading causes of death in the United States. Individuals with an ACEs score of 4 have a 2.5x greater risk for COPD, a 4.5x risk for depression and IV drug use, a 12x increased risk for suicide compared to an individual with a 0 ACEs score. If a screened individual had 6 or more ACEs there is a 20-year difference in lowered life expectancy compared to an individual with 0 ACEs.

These data points paint a grim picture for any individual or loved one who has experienced childhood or adult trauma and/or toxic stress. Thankfully, there is an evidence-based therapeutic intervention that can mitigate the negative psychological and physiological impacts of traumatizing or adverse events throughout the lifespan. This evidence-based practice is known as Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

EMDR as a Useful Tool to Change Lives

As stated by the founder of EMDR, Dr. Francine Shapiro, “The goal of EMDR treatment is to rapidly metabolize the dysfunctional residue from the past and transform it into something useful. Essentially, with EMDR therapy, the dysfunctional information undergoes a spontaneous change in form and meaning—incorporating insights and affect that is enhancing rather than self-denigrating to the client.” EMDR’s efficacy for reducing symptomatology associated with trauma is well documented. In fact, EMDR has been researched and studied for over 30 years, producing 30 randomized studies and hundreds of published peer-reviewed articles that have verified the effectiveness of this therapeutic technique, documenting myriad positive treatment outcomes for a wide range of populations. EMDR is one of the only trauma-focused therapeutic modalities that is recognized by the Departments of Defense and Veteran Affairs for the treatment of combat-related trauma.

The highly skilled clinicians employed at Pennsylvania Recovery Center & Behavioral Health Center are trained and experienced in EMDR. We are ready to guide traumatized individuals through this process with the hopes of reducing distress from past traumas and improving the overall quality of life. Please contact us immediately if you, a family member, or a friend would like to benefit from this clinical intervention at 610-233-4342 or visit www.parecoverycenter.com.

Citations

Citations

1. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/index.html
2. Anda, R.F. et al. Adverse Childhood Experiences and Prescribed Psychotropic Medications in Adults. (2007).
3. The National Comorbidity Survey Replication: (NCS-R).
4. National Association for Children of Addiction: https://nacoa.org/
5. https://www.samhsa.gov/child-trauma/understanding-child-trauma
6. Kessler et al. (2017). Trauma and PTSD in the WHO World Mental Health Surveys. PMID: 29075426; PMCID: PMC5632781.
7. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/p0331-youth-mental-health-covid-19.html
8. McCauley, J. L. et al. (2012). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorders: Advances in Assessment and Treatment. Clinical psychology: a publication of the Division of Clinical Psychology of the American Psychological Association, 19(3), 10.1111/cpsp.12006.
9. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/cooccurring/tx_sud_va.asp
10. Francine (2001). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EDMR) therapy: Basic principles, protocols, and procedures.https://veteranshelpgroup.com