EMDR For Eating Disorders: A Path to Healing Body Image Struggles
EMDR is a deeply healing way to work through eating disorders and negative body image. It helps us let go of the painful feelings and memories that may have held us back for years, even when we’ve tried to think past them. By addressing the emotions and experiences behind these struggles, EMDR helps us begin to move forward. As we process these stuck memories, our view of ourselves starts to change. Over time, we can replace those old, harsh beliefs with kinder, more positive ones about who we are and what really matters to us.
Living with an eating disorder or negative body image can feel like an endless struggle. The pressure to meet impossible standards, whether trying to look a certain way or battling harsh thoughts about your body, can be exhausting. This constant cycle leaves you feeling disconnected from your body. Each day may bring self-criticism, comparison, and the belief that you're "not enough." These feelings can drain your self-worth and affect how you see and interact with the world. Loneliness can take over, and even small moments of joy can get overshadowed by fear, guilt, or shame. You’re not alone. Many people struggle to feel at peace with their bodies.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a well-researched approach designed to help people process and heal from traumatic experiences. It works by reprocessing troubling memories and emotions through bilateral stimulation, which can involve guided eye movements, sounds, or taps.
How EMDR Can Help With Eating Disorders
At first, EMDR might seem a little silly. Bilateral stimulation can feel like a magic trick, but give it a chance, and it can be pretty cool and incredibly effective. EMDR allows those sticky beliefs about yourself, like “I’m not enough” or “I need to be better,” to shift and change.
Tell me more about EMDR and body image.
EMDR can be effective in addressing the shame you feel about your body by helping you process and reframe the underlying memories and beliefs fueling these feelings. During sessions, you’ll focus on specific moments or experiences contributing to your negative body image. By engaging in bilateral stimulation, EMDR helps reprocess these memories, reducing their emotional intensity and allowing you to view them as if from a distance.
Common Questions About EMDR Therapy
How long will it take? How many sessions?
The duration of EMDR therapy varies based on individual needs and the complexity of the issues being addressed.
When should I start?
You should consider starting EMDR when you’re struggling with distressing memories or negative beliefs about yourself.
How effective is EMDR?
EMDR is highly effective for many people. Research shows it can significantly reduce distress and improve overall well-being by helping reprocess and integrate traumatic memories. Many individuals experience lasting relief and improved emotional resilience after completing EMDR therapy. Its structured approach and evidence-based techniques contribute to its success in fostering healing and promoting a more balanced perspective on past experiences.
What will I experience during EMDR?
During EMDR, you will most likely experience a range of emotions. It is important to note that you will never be alone during this process. Your therapist will support you throughout, ensuring you remain grounded during each session.
What does an EMDR therapy session look like? Can you walk me through it?
An EMDR therapy session typically starts with a discussion about your goals. As well as any distressing memories or beliefs you want to address. I will then guide you through a preparation phase, which includes teaching relaxation techniques to help you stay grounded. During the main part of the session, you’ll focus on a specific memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation. This process helps reprocess the memory, reducing its emotional charge. The session concludes with a debrief, where you’ll discuss your experiences and integrate new insights.
What happens to my memories with EMDR?
With EMDR, memories are processed differently to reduce their emotional intensity. During sessions, you revisit distressing memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation, like tapping. Over time, this can diminish the vividness and emotional charge of the memories and reduce their impact on your daily life.
How does online EMDR therapy work?
Online EMDR therapy retains the core principles and effectiveness of in-person sessions, with the added benefit of flexibility and convenience. During your virtual sessions, we will connect via a secure video platform. I ask that clients find a private and comfortable place to meet.
Heal with EMDR for Eating Disorders and Negative Body Image.
EMDR offers a unique approach to healing negative body image and eating disorders. By addressing the deep-rooted memories and beliefs that fuel self-criticism and shame, EMDR can help shift your perception of yourself, allowing you to embrace your body with more acceptance and compassion. You don’t have to face it alone. EMDR can help you break free from the past and move forward with a renewed sense of self-worth. If you’re ready to begin this journey, know that change is possible and healing is within reach with Therapy With Lizzie.
Begin Healing With EMDR For Eating Disorders in Burlington, VT
Take the first step toward healing your relationship with food and yourself through EMDR for eating disorders. Together, at Therapy With Lizzie, we’ll uncover and address the emotional roots of your eating disorder, helping you find freedom from the patterns holding you back. Start your journey toward a healthier, more balanced life by following these three simple steps:
Meet with me, Lizzie Werner-Gavrin, a skilled eating disorder therapist to start EMDR for your eating disorders
Begin healing your relationship with food and yourself!
Other Online Services I Provide Throughout Vermont
At Therapy With Lizzie, I support adults navigating body image challenges and eating disorders with specialized therapy, including EMDR to process trauma and emotional pain. My work also extends to helping individuals manage anxiety, cope with stress, and build resilience. I provide a compassionate, affirming space for adults exploring their gender and sexuality. Whether you're addressing past trauma, managing anxiety, or embracing your identity, I’m here to support you with care and understanding every step of the way.
