How Women Over 40 Can Benefit From EMDR & Brainspotting
If you’re a woman over the age of 40 who’s considering starting psychotherapy, it can feel very big to sort through not only finding the right therapist, but also which type of psychotherapy would be most suitable for your needs. Some therapies are based more on skills, thoughts, behaviors and helping you in the context of here and now. Other therapies look to delve deeper into your history to bring awareness to the connections between your present and past. One form of therapy that is right for one person, may not be what feels right to another. With many options, it can be beneficial for you to at least familiarize yourself with how a certain type of therapy can help you reach your goals.
If you’ve been curious about brain based therapies, like EMDR and Brainspotting, and would like to know more about how these therapies can help you, I have outlined here 5 of the more common circumstances under which you may look to start therapy and how EMDR and Brainspotting can help.
1. Trauma Resolution/Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Unfortunately, it appears to be the rule more than the exception when it comes to women over 40 having experienced trauma throughout their lives. Childhood trauma, relationship trauma, even dysfunctional workplace environments are only a few examples of how you can be affected by trauma. EMDR and Brainspotting can help process and resolve these traumatic experiences by accessing the trauma networks to release the trauma that is held in the brain and body, reducing the emotional and psychological impact, and its negative effect on your day to day circumstances.
2. Grief and Loss
As women age, they may face the loss of loved ones. Losses can be experienced due to death of parents, a partner, friend or child, divorce, and ending of friendships. Health or other significant life changes may also be experienced as losses that trigger grief. EMDR and Brainspotting can assist in processing the experiences and feelings your mind and body are holding, and coming to terms with the grief and loss you feel, helping you to find healing and acceptance.
3. Self-Esteem
Women in their 40s and beyond often experience shifts in self-identity and self-esteem. Changes in roles, family dynamics, concerns about parenting, career, aging, and relationships can affect your perception of who you are and your place in the world. EMDR and Brainspotting can help you to address the issues that are negatively affecting your self-esteem by allowing for processing of the deeper connections your mind and body hold that negatively affect your view of yourself. Such deeper processing can uncover a healthier sense of self and self-worth.
4. Relationship Improvement
Many women over 40 seek therapy to address relationship issues or difficulties with intimacy. They may have problems in an existing relationship, the ending of a relationship, or in trying to seek a new relationship. If one of these describes your situation, EMDR and Brainspotting can help you to understand and process possible unhealthy relationship patterns due to past traumas or negative experiences that may have influenced how you connect with others.
5. General Mental Health and Well-Being
In addition to trauma and PTSD treatment, EMDR and Brainspotting are therapies that can address a wide range of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and the emotional and psychological challenges of perimenopause. Brainspotting and EMDR therapies help to alleviate these feelings by processing the root causes and boosting the mind and body’s natural healing system. In addition, these therapies can also contribute to your developing healthier coping mechanisms and problem-solving skills because these therapies help uncover your existing internal resources that may have been previously suppressed.
It's important to note that the effectiveness of EMDR and Brainspotting can vary from person to person. The key is to work with a qualified and experienced therapist who can tailor the therapy to your individual needs. Additionally, a thorough assessment by a mental health professional can determine if these therapies are appropriate and beneficial for you. Women over 40 can benefit from these therapies when they are applied skillfully and with a clear understanding of your unique circumstances.