Get Trauma and EMDR Therapy in a Residential Setting
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an evidence-based approach to psychotherapy. It’s most often used to help people manage intrusive traumatic memories.
EMDR treatment varies from traditional talk therapy in its focus on helping the brain recover from trauma by reshaping the emotional distress caused by traumatic events. Those who receive EMDR inpatient care have often experienced the most traumatic experiences.
Catalina Behavioral Health is famous in Arizona for our top-tier substance abuse treatment. Many are surprised to hear that we also count ourselves among Grand Canyon State’s top EMDR inpatient treatment and trauma treatment centers.
We understand that trauma treatment is a common thread in many mental health challenges, so our evidence-based therapies and trauma-informed approach are the keys to success for these clients.
You do not need to suffer from the emotional pain caused by past trauma any longer. Please read on to learn how eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) helps support the healing process.
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About Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy
Psychologist Francine Shapiro developed EMDR treatment in the late 1980s. Throughout the eight phases of EMDR therapy, therapists guide clients through a series of non-invasive lateral eye movements or other bilateral stimulation while recalling their traumatic memories, which can include both emotional and physical trauma.
The EMDR therapy process helps the brain with reprocessing the memories, thus reducing the emotional distress related to them.
Is EMDR Effective?
How effective is it in disarming distressing memories using EMDR? A meta-analysis of 10 studies in 8 countries found that EMDR worked more quickly and effectively in patients than several other forms of trauma therapies in switching a negative thought into a positive belief.
EMDR Therapy Helps Heal Trauma-Based Mental Health Issues

Your Catalina residential treatment plan will address the unresolved trauma that has led to your current mental health challenges. Receiving EMDR in a residential facility provides an intensive setting that provides the best path forward for Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) or for those with thoughts of self-harm.
Here are some of the mental health challenges that often benefit from EMDR therapy:
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) acknowledges PTSD as a diagnosable condition with a specific set of harmful symptoms. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is often the go-to treatment for PTSD. EMDR helps clients confront traumatic events or memories in a safe setting under the care of a licensed therapist.
Within a few weeks EMDR clients often report that the flashbacks, nightmares, and other symptoms start improving. We also help clients continue healing by learning coping skills to avoid triggers.
It’s vital to understand that trauma is larger than PTSD as a stand-alone diagnosis. When someone struggling with traumatic memories does not get help for PTSD, it can lead to a second challenge. EMDR treatment professionals call that situation a “dual diagnosis.”
Keep reading to learn a few of the frequent co-occurrences that may arise from past trauma and could benefit from EMDR.
Drug and Alcohol Addiction (Substance Use Disorders)
One of the most commonly co-occurring issues with trauma is a Substance Use Disorder. An SUD can be a drug addiction, alcohol addiction, or sometimes both. Those with unprocessed distressing memories may find themselves using drugs or alcohol to ease the feelings that come from the traumatic event.
Treatment goals should include both processing the traumatic memories and emotional pain along with safe, effective substance abuse recovery. Because the addiction has changed how the brain works, EMDR therapy in a residential treatment setting is often the safest option.
Anxiety Disorders

Unresolved trauma leads to anxiety, phobias, panic disorder, and high stress levels that interfere with some patients’ ability to function well in daily life. The pent-up emotions can disrupt relationships, careers, and contribute to physical health concerns.
Patients with anxiety disorders plus trauma will have a treatment plan that incorporates EMDR therapy. An EMDR therapist will also focus on managing emotions, such as mindfulness meditation, to stay present when anxiety or panic symptoms start.
Sex Addiction and Similar Behavioral Issues
Trauma can cause excessive activity in the brain. The amygdala, the brain’s fear center, can become hyperactive, which causes emotional dysregulation. Compulsive behaviors and sex addiction become inappropriate coping mechanisms.
EMDR therapy for trauma and other disorders is incredibly healing because reprocessing helps reduce the impact of the traumatic memories and, in time, restores the amygdala to typical functioning. The recovery center team will also treat clients by working on how to manage their emotions safely (and with greater effectiveness) in the future.
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Disordered Eating Patterns
Disordered eating often starts with trauma and the negative beliefs and emotional turmoil that can develop. These can become obsessions with food or body image, causing a focus on eating. Without the help of a professional EMDR therapist to treat the triggers of these obsessions, these often escalate into binge eating, food addiction, anorexia nervosa, or bulimia nervosa.
A treatment plan for obsessive eating includes EMDR therapy, along with holistic therapy to help change clients’ relationships with both trauma and food. Recovery also means integrating with medical practitioners to ensure well-being as the body recovers.
Depression (Major Depressive Disorder)
An EMDR treatment plan is also effective to treat depression. It works by targeting the traumatic memories that trigger the depressive symptoms. As clients work on recovery with EMDR therapy, they also start working on developing healthier coping tools. A treatment plan for depression may also include additional strategies besides EMDR, such as medication management to manage feelings in the future.
Recovery Services Like EMDR Treatment Are Covered by Insurance

If you’re reading this page because you need mental health treatment and think EMDR can help, you can rest assured that Catalina works with most private or group health insurance programs, limited forms of AHCCCS (Medicaid), and military/federal employee insurance providers such as TRICARE and GEHA.
Some of the medically necessary, approved recovery costs include:
- Treatment by a licensed mental health provider
- Costs associated with working with a therapist
- EMDR treatment for traumatic memories
- Addiction recovery
- Addressing related mental health concerns with your therapist
- Treatment to manage your triggers and emotions
If you need help understanding what your plan covers, contact Catalina’s admissions representative with the information from your insurance card today. We can assess your needs and present a recovery plan to your insurer.
We strive to help you gain access to the healing therapy and EMDR treatment you need with little money out of your pocket. Calling our admissions rep is confidential and complies with HIPAA rules.
Up To 100% of Rehab Costs Covered By Insurance
Catalina Offers EMDR Therapy in a Residential Recovery Setting
Do you need the intensive healing of a mental health residential trauma treatment center for PTSD? Catalina can help support your recovery. We offer a safe setting where you can resolve your feelings using EMDR, an effective, science-proven way to treat traumatic experiences.
We go the extra mile to treat not only trauma but also any related mental health concerns that have developed along with or as a result of the traumatic incident. Our holistic approach also includes:
- Integrating with other treatment specialists who can contribute to your physical or mental wellness
- Providing additional science-backed treatments that complement EMDR therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, medication management, or group therapy.
- Encouraging you to try alternative therapies – yoga, mindfulness meditation, journaling.
The possible options are almost endless. We’ll ensure you receive the right combination of therapies to help you enjoy better mental health.
Are you for a chance at a better tomorrow? Call Catalina Behavioral Health today.