How EMDR Therapy Can Help You Survive the Holiday's In Philadelphia This Year

EMDR Therapy in Philadelphia, Bryn Mawr & EMDR Therapy Online Throughout Pennsylvania & New Jersey

By Julia Salerno, MS, LPC (she/her)

As the holiday season commences, the streets of Rittenhouse Square come alive, transforming into a mesmerizing wonderland with holiday lights and decorations that illuminate every corner. A stroll down Walnut and Chestnut streets reveals a symphony of storefront displays, each a work of art, showcasing a dazzling array of colors and lights that seem to dance in perfect harmony.

While the holiday season is often depicted as a time of joy, love, and togetherness, for many individuals, it can be a complex and triggering time.

Emotionally charged experiences, strained relationships with family members, and the reemergence of traumatic memories can make it challenging to fully embrace and enjoy the festivities. This is why it is crucial to prioritize self-care and seek the support you need during this season of celebration. Identifying and setting boundaries, practicing self-care rituals, and utilizing coping skills are essential ways to take care of your well-being and navigate the holiday season.

However, you may be wondering what kind of support would be most beneficial for you.

If you are like many people, you are seeking relief ASAP, especially if you anticipate being around family members who are triggering.

This is where EMDR therapy shines as an invaluable tool for navigating holiday challenges and finding emotional healing.

EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy, is highly effective in helping individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences, allowing them to regain a sense of control and find peace within themselves.

How EMDR Therapy in Philadelphia Can Help You This Holiday Season?

I’m going to walk you through why EMDR therapy can help you survive the holidays by providing a deeper understanding of how it works with the body.

Typically, when we have experienced a trauma or are currently dealing with trauma memories, our body essentially gets stuck in fight, flight, or freeze mode as our brain and body try to protect us from harm.

This response is a natural survival mechanism that kicks in automatically in stressful situations. For individuals who have experienced a recent break up, emotionally unavailable parents, high conflict households, parents with chronic illness or addictions, divorce, or other forms of childhood wounding, their sympathetic nervous system can be constantly activated, causing their body to remain in a heightened state of alertness. This means that their body is constantly scanning the environment for potential threats, in an ongoing effort to stay safe both emotionally and physically. Additionally, this activated nervous system can also be triggered when we come across reminders of the disturbing event, causing us to relive the trauma all over again and experience intense emotions, physical sensations, and negative thoughts associated with it.

EMDR Therapy in Philadelphia & New Jersey Can Help You Be More in The Present This Holiday!

EMDR therapy can also help you separate the past from the present by addressing maladaptively stored memories. With the guidance and support of an experienced EMDR therapist in Philadelphia, you will embark on a structured and transformative journey.

The EMDR therapy process involves examining and processing these memories, allowing you to reframe your perspective on the event and create a healthier narrative for yourself.

By reprocessing these memories, you are able to acknowledge and remember that the event occurred without having to fully relive the intense emotions or negative thoughts associated with it. This profound healing and restoration of a sense of safety enable you to navigate the holiday season with greater ease and resilience.

Furthermore, EMDR therapy offers another invaluable gift during the holiday season—it enhances your ability to fully embrace and immerse yourself in the present moment.

By engaging in this therapeutic approach, you not only release and process painful past experiences, but you also tap into the internal resources and resilience that lie dormant within you.

The transformative power of EMDR therapy helps you connect with your inner strength and empowers you to respond to various situations with an unwavering sense of groundedness. Instead of reacting impulsively or feeling weighed down by the burdens of the past, you can navigate the holiday season with a renewed sense of freedom and joy, allowing you to create cherished memories and meaningful experiences.

Navigating the holiday season can be challenging, especially for individuals with past trauma or emotional difficulties. However, with the right tools and support, such as EMDR therapy, it is possible to survive and even thrive during this time. EMDR therapy can create a holiday season that is filled with growth, healing, and positive experiences.

You don't have to deal with it by yourself.

There's professional help available to support you as you work towards feeling better emotionally.

If you want to learn more about weekly EMDR therapy in Philadelphia or our EMDR intensives, click the button below.

EMDR therapy can be extremely helpful during the holidays. It can assist with processing past traumas, managing strong emotions, and dealing with triggers. Our experienced EMDR therapists can provide insights, coping skills, and healing. Contact Spilove Psychotherapy today to schedule a free 15-minute phone call with an EMDR therapist in Philadelphia, Bryn Mawr, or online in Pennsylvania & New Jersey.