EMDR Therapy In Nashville
Healing from trauma isn’t just about understanding what happened, it’s about helping the brain and body let go of the emotional intensity that remains long after the event is over.
At Nashville Treatment Solutions, we offer EMDR Therapy in Nashville as part of a compassionate, evidence-based approach to mental health and addiction treatment.
Many people describe EMDR as the moment healing finally becomes possible. This isn’t because they forget what happened, but because it stops controlling their thoughts and emotions.
If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol, our addiction treatment in Nashville can help. Call us now at 615-234-9071 or verify your insurance.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR is a specialized form of psychotherapy designed to help individuals process traumatic memories in a way that reduces emotional distress. Instead of focusing primarily on talking through trauma, EMDR uses guided eye movements or bilateral stimulation (such as tapping or sound cues) to help the brain rewire how traumatic memories are stored.
Developed in the late 1980s, EMDR is now widely recognized as one of the most effective treatments for trauma-related symptoms, including anxiety, PTSD, panic attacks, and emotional triggers.
EMDR supports the brain’s natural ability to heal, similar to how the body heals physical wounds.
During EMDR Therapy in Nashville, clients learn to process memories that previously felt overwhelming while developing new beliefs about themselves and their experiences.
How Does EMDR Work?
When someone experiences trauma, the brain may struggle to fully process the event. Instead of being stored as a typical memory, the experience becomes “stuck,” leaving the nervous system on high alert.
This can lead to:
- Nightmares
- Flashbacks
- Emotional Flooding
- Physical Anxiety
- Avoidance Behaviors
- Persistent Shame or Fear
EMDR helps the brain reprocess these memories by engaging both hemispheres through bilateral stimulation.
As the memory becomes properly integrated, emotional intensity decreases and the brain begins to recognize that the threat is no longer present.
The process does not erase the memory—it changes the emotional and physiological response to it. Many clients report feeling calmer, more grounded, and more able to move forward without being pulled back into the past.
The Components of EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy follows an eight-phase model that supports safety, structure, and gradual healing. Because EMDR includes preparation and coping skill development, clients do not simply “relive” trauma.
Instead, they process it in a structured, supportive way with a trained clinician.
- History and Treatment Planning: The therapist gathers background information and identifies target memories or triggers.
- Preparation: Clients learn coping tools to stabilize emotions, including grounding and relaxation skills.
- Assessment: Specific memories, images, beliefs, and body sensations associated with trauma are identified.
- Desensitization: Bilateral stimulation begins while the client focuses on the memory.
- Installation: Positive beliefs and self-perceptions replace negative thought patterns connected to the trauma.
- Body Scan: The therapist helps clients identify and release any remaining physical tension.
- Closure: The session ends with grounding techniques to ensure emotional stability.
- Reevaluation: Progress is reviewed in the next session and additional targets are identified as needed.
Nashville Treatment Programs That Provide EMDR Therapy
At Nashville Treatment Solutions, EMDR therapy is available across several levels of care, ensuring clients receive support that fits their needs and recovery stage. Our programs include:
- Detox Programs
- Inpatient Programs
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
- Evening IOP
- Outpatient Programs
- Sober Living support
Whether someone is beginning treatment after detox or continuing therapy while rebuilding their life, EMDR can be incorporated into their care plan.
Having access to trauma-informed therapy throughout different phases of recovery helps maintain stability and momentum.
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Nashville Treatment Solutions is an industry leader in addiction treatment. Our team of top medical experts specialize in dual diagnosis treatment and are committed to ensuring that each patient is treated as an individual. Call us today, we’re available 24/7.
How Can EMDR Therapy Help Mental Health?
Trauma often shapes the way individuals see themselves and the world, creating patterns of fear, self-doubt, and emotional overwhelm.
EMDR helps shift these internal beliefs, moving clients from a place of helplessness toward resilience and self-worth. It has been shown to be highly effective for a wide range of mental health concerns, including PTSD, anxiety disorders, depression, panic disorder, grief and loss, attachment and childhood trauma, phobias, and chronic stress.
As traumatic memories lose their emotional charge, the brain becomes better able to regulate mood, respond to stress, and maintain healthy relationships.
Many clients report improved sleep, reduced anxiety, and a renewed sense of hope as they begin to feel safer and more grounded in their daily lives.
For individuals whose symptoms haven’t responded to traditional talk therapy alone, EMDR can provide a powerful breakthrough, helping them access healing on a deeper and more lasting level.
How Can EMDR Therapy Help Substance Use Disorder?
Substance use disorder and trauma are deeply connected. Many individuals begin using drugs or alcohol to cope with painful memories, emotional distress, or overwhelming stress. Without addressing the root cause, sobriety can feel fragile.
EMDR supports addiction recovery by:
- Reducing trauma-related triggers
- Decreasing cravings linked to emotional distress
- Improving emotional regulation
- Increasing motivation for recovery
- Helping individuals feel safe without substances
When trauma no longer drives the need to numb or escape, recovery becomes more sustainable. Combining EMDR Therapy in Nashville with structured addiction treatment helps individuals build long-term stability and reduce the risk of relapse.
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How Effective is EMDR Therapy?
Research consistently shows that EMDR is one of the most effective treatments for trauma. Many individuals experience significant improvement in just a few sessions, and some studies indicate that EMDR can be as effective—or more effective—than traditional talk therapy or medication alone.
EMDR is recommended by major organizations including:
- The American Psychological Association
- The World Health Organization
- The Department of Veterans Affairs
Its effectiveness comes from treating trauma at its source rather than simply managing symptoms. When the brain completes the processing it was unable to finish during the traumatic event, healing can occur quickly and deeply.
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Why Nashville Treatment Solutions?
At Nashville Treatment Solutions, EMDR therapy is part of a larger, supportive treatment experience. We provide care that feels human—warm, welcoming, and genuinely invested in your wellbeing.
Our clinicians specialize in trauma-informed treatment, ensuring every client feels safe, respected, and understood throughout their healing process.
Our Nashville services include:
- Psychiatry
- Family therapy
- Group therapy
- Holistic therapy
- Music therapy
- Relapse prevention
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Individual therapy
- Medication-Assisted Treatment options such as Vivitrol, Suboxone, and Naltrexone
Start EMDR Therapy in Nashville Today
If trauma or overwhelming emotions are holding you back, there is a path forward. EMDR Therapy in Nashville can help you process the past and reclaim control over your life.
Contact Nashville Treatment Solutions today to learn more, verify insurance, or begin the admissions process. Healing doesn’t have to wait—and you don’t have to do it alone.
Nashville Treatment Solutions offers drug and alcohol addiction treatment and mental health treatment in Nashville. Call today to get started.
