Is EMDR Like Hypnotherapy Hypnosis?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) is a proven therapy that helps the mind and body to work together to change thought patterns and deeply-held beliefs.

While this may sound similar to hypnotherapy, the EMDR and hypnosis are very different ways to treat the challenges that can result from traumatic life experiences. 

Hypnosis as it is used in psychology involves moving the client into a trance-like (or hypnotic) state where they are simultaneously very relaxed with heightened mental focus. While the client is in this state, the psychologist will try to guide the person towards a specific goal or change. Hypnosis is a controversial treatment. Its aim is to target suppressed traumatic memories and change the client’s perception of those memories. It also relies on the individual to choose to respond, which can be unpredictable. 

EMDR, on the other hand, requires the client to be entirely conscious and uses techniques that are proven to have biophysical effects. 

This therapy modality builds through eight stages, normally lasting 8-12 sessions. It involves the therapist helping the client to gradually remember events from the traumatic event or events that resulted in their current symptoms. During the later stages of the process, the therapist uses guiding eye movements while talking about the traumatic experience. This use of distraction and external stimuli allows the client to recall and reprocess the memories more easily, without repeatedly going through intense emotional stress.

Another key difference between the two forms of treatment are their end goals: hypnosis focuses on achieving a single goal, whereas EMDR has a much broader reach, helping the client deal with PTSD symptoms caused by trauma and its associated memories.

EMDR is more researched than hypnosis, particularly for treatment of PTSD. Over 20 studies have found EMDR to be effective in trauma treatment.

If you are suffering from the results of a traumatic experience, EMDR may be able to help you restore your mental balance and inner peace.

At Inside Wellness, we are proud to offer the services of EMDR-specialist, Angela Cox. Angela uses EMDR to help you process your trauma and regain control of your mental health.

Schedule a call today with our Care Coordinator to book your first session with Angela.

How Perfectionism Can Ruin Relationships

Perfectionism can be exhausting to live with - both for you and your loved ones. Trying to reach and maintain extremely high standards in relationships can lead to depression, anxiety, stress, and burnout. 

While high standards can be a positive thing, moving us to do our best in a task or activity, constant perfectionism can wear you down. It can lead to feelings of being trapped, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and isolation.

It can also insidiously wear down your relationships, as people start to feel it’s impossible to reach or maintain your high standards. This can lead to feelings of sadness and disconnection in both partners even when ultimately you both want to see each other succeed while simultaneously feeling connected.

Some stress and pressure can be good. But humans are just not equipped to cope with extreme or constant pressure and stress. It affects our bodies and minds negatively.

Perfectionism often begins with a series of negative thoughts or beliefs that become increasingly entrenched. The good news is that this same downward spiral of negative thinking can often be unwound back to its source.

A trained therapist who specializes in treating perfectionism in relationships will be able to help you work towards the mental balance and inner peace you (and your loved ones!) crave.

At Inside Wellness Utah, we specialize in a holistic approach to your mental health. Our perfectionism and relationship expert, Angela, specializes in helping you restore balance to your mental health and your relationships.

A common side effect of perfectionism is procrastination. Don’t procrastinate with getting the help you need to restore your mental health and relationships!

Schedule a call with our Care Coordinator today to book your first session with Angela.

Is Perfectionism A Form Of Anxiety?

At its most basic, perfectionism is the desire to be perfect as a person or in some area of your life (eg. work).

Unfortunately, Western culture does not nurture balance. We’re under constant pressure from the media and society, in general, to be perfect - or as close to it as possible - in pretty much every aspect of our lives. Often, we’re so used to living with this type of thinking that we don’t even recognize it as unbalanced.

This pressure can be very difficult to resist and succumbing to perfectionist thinking is an ever-present reality. However, perfectionist thinking can have some major negative impacts on mental health. 

While perfectionism is not on its own a form of anxiety, it can absolutely feed anxiety and anxiety disorders.

People with disorders like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder can be even more vulnerable to experiencing issues with perfectionism.

Perfectionism usually happens as a result of trying to live up to an internally-created ideal, but it can also stem from fear of judgment or the perception of others. 

These negative thoughts and beliefs may begin to result in avoidance behaviors, isolation, and depression. Some people become so overwhelmed with the stress and constant demands of perfectionism that they become paralyzed by fear and negative thinking. 

If you are struggling with perfectionism, or perfectionism and anxiety, help is absolutely available.

With the help of a trained therapist who specializes in anxiety, perfectionistic thoughts can often be traced back to the originating core beliefs and challenged in a safe environment. There are also practical tools you can learn to help you cope with the effects of perfectionism.

Begin Addressing Perfectionism With An Anxiety Therapist in Utah

At Inside Wellness, we can offer you a safe space to work through these challenges with a trained expert. Our team specializes in helping clients with perfectionism and anxiety. We would be honored to help you work through the traumatic life experiences that can trigger perfectionism. To start your therapy journey, please follow these simple steps:

1. Schedule a call with our Care Coordinator to book your first session.

2. Meet with a caring therapist

3. Start learning to cope with perfectionist tendencies!

Other Services Offered at Inside Wellness

We understand you may experience a number of mental health concerns in addition to anxiety counseling. This is why we are happy to offer support with a variety of mental health services. Other services offered include body image counseling, eating disorder therapy, EMDR Therapy, and online Therapy in Utah. Feel free to visit our blog or FAQ to learn more helpful information!