EMDR THERAPY
What Is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy—or EMDR—is an evidence-based, non-cognitive therapeutic model to effectively treat a wide range of complex mental health challenges. It is particularly helpful when addressing trauma but can also be used for other forms of emotional or physiological suffering arising from adverse life experiences.
Unlike traditional forms of talk therapy, EMDR usually involves exploring a traumatic memory or event while engaging in a series of bilateral stimulation techniques that activate the brain’s natural ability to “reprocess”. The training I did incorporates a somatic lens and I always make sure to include the bodily experience as we engage in an EMDR protocol.
Dual-Attention Bilateral Stimulation techniques softly open the brain’s neural-plastic nature—its innate ability to change—allowing it to reprocess difficult emotions, reconcile painful memories, and even change physical sensations associated. In essence, EMDR identifies and treats core issues responsible for distress, helping clients change on a neurological, emotional, and somatic level.
EMDR’s Effectiveness Is Well-Documented
Originally developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy has become widely recognized for its ability to treat a host of issues.
Organizations, including the American Psychological Association, the US Department Of Veteran Affairs, and the World Health Organization (among many others), acknowledge the efficacy of EMDR. From trauma and PTSD to anxiety and depression to substance abuse and disordered eating, EMDR has been proven to create sustainable results that transcend symptom management.
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How Does The EMDR Therapy Process Work?
EMDR is a structured, eight-phase process that allows both the client and therapist to measure progress and adjust treatment as the therapeutic process evolves. It is also designed to give therapists a way of creating a treatment plan that is unique to each individual.
This often consists of using a combination of mindfulness, imagery, and cognitive techniques, as well as emotional regulation skills, to help prepare for the deeper work of addressing traumatic memories. It may also include breathwork, mindfulness meditation strategies, visualization, and somatic approaches.
Some form of talk therapy is incorporated in the EMDR process. Talk therapy tends to build an avenue toward a greater sense of safety and trust that facilitates both EMDR and the process as a whole.
Once a client is familiarized with the process and equipped with effective tools for self-regulation, the eye movement, desensitization, and reprocessing part of EMDR therapy can begin. It can move quickly and be very efficient once the foundation is built. EMDR is an intensive process and takes a little more investment / commitment, but can deliver potent results.
The 8 Phases Of EMDR Therapy
Phase 1 – Assessment and development of treatment plan. Rather than jumping into EMDR sessions quickly, it is important to understand the process, reflect on the focus of the content, and why some memories or reactions to stimuli are so intense. Strong therapeutic rapport is needed before beginning the EMDR protocol and we’ll identify the appropriate pacing / structure / goals.
Phase 2 – Learning self-calming techniques. We'll make sure there are sufficient coping strategies for managing overwhelming emotions, painful memories, and associations (before, during, and after sessions).
Phase 3 – Guided visualization of memories. This entails recalling a negative memory, image, belief, or bodily sensation associated with trauma or a disturbing experience.
Phase 4 – Desensitization through Dual Attention Bilateral Stimulation. While the client focuses on the traumatic memory and related thoughts and feelings, the therapist uses bilateral movement / stimulation techniques (rapid eye movements or oscillating tones) and makes inquiries into thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations.
Phase 5 – Reprocessing the traumatic memory and installation of positive ideas. The therapist carefully helps the client to shift their mind toward new internal resources about the event. Finding a resourced outlook leads to resolution and neural restructuring.
Phase 6 – Body scan for lingering somatic symptoms. This involves pinpointing and reducing lingering residual physical discomfort that may still be connected to the disturbing memory.
Phase 7 – Relaxation and debriefing. Through relaxation techniques, clients are helped to return to a state of balance. The therapist reviews the individual’s self-regulation skills, assesses if they need additional support, and encourages them to note any issue that may arise in between sessions.
Phase 8 – Re-evaluating the overall progress and adjusting targets. This carries over into the following session(s) and is how EMDR can become an efficient protocol used for many different themes or struggles.
Through this process, individuals gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their trauma and create a shift in how they respond to emotions, triggers, and reminders of the painful experience.
The Unique Benefits Of EMDR Therapy
In some ways, emotional suffering can be thought of as a splinter. If you remove it, the flesh regenerates with healthy, new growth. But if the splinter stays in and is irritated on a daily basis, the discomfort increases. Trauma is like that splinter—a wound that gets stored in the mind and body, changing how a person thinks, feels, and functions in the world.
Whereas most traditional therapeutic models focus on symptom management and cognitive change, EMDR creates change on a neurological level, which is fundamentally more effective.
Rather than treating surface issues, EMDR gets to the heart of the matter and removes that splinter instead of putting a bandage on it, robbing traumatic memories and experiences of their emotional charge. It does this without forcing people to relive or discuss in great detail their worst experiences—thus eliminating the risk of doing more harm than good.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy is both an evidence-based and eclectic therapeutic model. It frequently works well in conjunction with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), parts work (Internal Family Systems, IFS), AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy), and a number of other modalities. Due to its structured nature and how it treats core issues directly in a protocol, EMDR therapy is often more brief, effective, and comprehensive in its approach to healing. EMDR can also be used as part of treatment with other modalities in the container of a long-term psychotherapy relationship.
The EMDR process gives the client and therapist a way to measure and visualize progress—and it does not have to involve homework between sessions. EMDR has proven to be an effective form of treatment for a range of complex issues, including anxiety and depression, grief and loss, low self-esteem, sexual dysfunction, and trauma / PTSD.
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The depth, scope, and effectiveness as a treatment strategy—particularly for trauma and PTSD—is almost unparalleled. I offer EMDR in-office as well as via telehealth online. If you want to avoid driving / parking / waiting rooms / scheduling challenges / privacy concerns, telehealth offers more flexibility and convenience while still meeting a high standard of care. Some clients prefer being in the office and some prefer the comfort of home. If you’re curious, call me and let’s discuss options.
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