How Do TheraTappers Work For Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment?
In This Article
What is a TheraTapper?
A TheraTapper is a device commonly used in two forms of therapy:
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): A form of psychotherapy that treats people with trauma
- Developmental Needs Meeting Strategy (DNMS): A form of ego-state therapy that treats adults with psychological trauma and attachment wounds
The TheraTapper kit consists of a control box and two pulsers connected by six-foot wires. Vibration from the pulsers creates tactile stimulations in the brain, positively affecting several mental health and addiction disorders.
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How Do TheraTappers Work?
TheraTappers use alternating bilateral stimulation (ABS) of the brain to achieve EMDR. This mimics REM sleep by stimulating bilateral eye movements, which changes maladaptive neural networks.
It facilitates communication across the brain's two hemispheres to help process traumatic events.
ABS and EMDR can also be used to treat:
- Anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Drug-addiction
- Alcoholism
EDMR should always be performed by a licensed therapist who has received proper training in the EMDR procedure.
TheraTappers for Drug & Alcohol Addiction
TheraTapper EMDR tools treat drug and alcohol addiction by addressing the root cause of these conditions, like traumatic memories. TheraTappers are most effective with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in rehab.
The tools help create new adaptive behaviors, which minimize the desire for drugs or alcohol. They can help manage intense withdrawal symptoms and make a mental response system to avoid future relapses and improve self-care.
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Benefits of EMDR Therapy
TheraTappers and EMDR treatment have several impactful mental and physical health benefits for patients. They help with the following:
- Transforming beliefs
- Letting go of self-limiting or negative thoughts
- Processing trauma
- Becoming open to recovery
- Coping skills
- Stress response
- Ongoing self-improvement
What are the 8 Phases of EDMR Therapy?
Throughout EMDR therapy, there are eight phases you will go through. Each step allows you to examine and re-evaluate your trauma and experiences.
Patients usually speak with a specialized EMDR therapist throughout these eight treatment stages. This allows them to process traumatic experiences and store them as more manageable emotions.
1. History and Treatment Planning
A medical professional will evaluate your profile for the first step of EMDR therapy. The most important aspect of this step is to learn about you as much as possible.
This includes your ability to tolerate distressing memories. You mustn’t be pushed too far throughout the therapy sessions.
2. Preparation
Phase two focuses on establishing a calm and positive relationship with you. Establishing trust is paramount to attaining the preferred outcome.
Your therapist will make a safe and trustworthy environment. They will ensure you are comfortable and teach you hand signals you can use when a subject is bothering you.
They will also help you understand coping mechanisms.
3. Assessment
During this phase, the medical professional will identify the traumatic memory that causes adverse symptoms. They will need to understand every event detail to reach a successful breakthrough.
The subsequent four phases are crucial steps to reaching a successful breakthrough. You will need to work with your therapist to alleviate the mental and physical pain you might experience when triggered.
4. Desensitization
The desensitization phase is a critical step. This phase involves teaching you how to reduce your reaction to traumatic memories.
When triggered, you may experience the following physical sensations:
- Profusely sweating
- Mild to severe stomach problems
- Rapid heart rate
- Nausea
The therapist encourages the patient to talk through their traumatic experience while redirecting the main focus of their brain through eye movements.
5. Installation
Stage five will focus on instilling positive thoughts to help increase your overall mental strength. The goal is not to make you forget the experience but to help you deal with triggering situations.
This will help you avoid becoming overwhelmed by negative feelings or shutting down from triggering events.
6. Body Scan
Phase six involves scanning your entire body for re-occurring physical sensations and responses to traumatic events. This helps your therapist understand you more when you relieve a traumatic event.
7. Closure
At the end of every treatment session, there is a closure section. This ensures the patient leaves every session they attend feeling happier and more optimistic about the situation and future.
8. Reevaluation
Phase eight will be a re-evaluation where your therapist will check your current psychological state. After the re-evaluation, they will continue with how they believe you’re improving.
How Long Does It Take To Finish EMDR Therapy?
Every person reacts differently to therapy. However, a typical EMDR session can last between 60-90 minutes.
It can take time to get to the bottom of your trauma and understand how your traumatic memories work. Because of this, EMDR therapy has 8 phases and can take between 6 to 12 sessions.
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Other Types of EMDR Equipment
NeuroTek
NeuroTek is a company that has been making EMDR tools and equipment for nearly 30 years. They have an extensive line of EMDR equipment available in more than 40 countries. Clients include:
- Hospitals
- Medical centers
- Military centers
- Police organizations
EMDR Kit
EMDR Kit is the name of a company and its flagship EMDR tapper product. Their first offering was the EMDR Kit Classic, followed by the EMDR Kit Wireless, both available worldwide.
Summary
A TheraTapper is a device used in EMDR therapy. The TheraTapper uses vibrations from the pulsers to create tactile stimulations in the brain.
The process has positively affected several mental health and addiction disorders. EMDR facilitates communication across the brain's two hemispheres to help process traumatic events.
There are 8 phases to EMDR therapy, designed to help you understand and process traumatic events. This can help people achieve full recovery.
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Related Articles
- Francine S. “The role of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in medicine: addressing the psychological and physical symptoms stemming from adverse life experiences.” The Permanente Journal, 2014.
- Gemma, W. “The Use of Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy in Treating Post-traumatic Stress Disorder-A Systematic Narrative Review.” Frontiers in Psychology, 2018.
- USDVA. “Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for PTSD.” United States Department of Veteran Affairs National Center for PTSD, 2022.
- Hase, M. “The Structure of EMDR Therapy: A Guide for the Therapist” Front. Psychol, 2021.
- Scelles, C., and Bulnes LC. “EMDR as Treatment Option for Conditions Other Than PTSD: A Systematic Review.” Front. Psychol, 2021.
- Carletto et al. “EMDR as Add-On Treatment for Psychiatric and Traumatic Symptoms in Patients with Substance Use Disorder.” Frontiers in Psychology, 2018.
