WHAT IS EMDR?

What is EMDR? EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. This therapeutic modality, developed by Francine Shapiro, Ph.D., has been proven to help alleviate symptoms of trauma and emotional distress. It was first used for the treatment of PTSD and was found to alleviate anxiety that accompanied PTSD symptoms by allowing the client to focus briefly on the trauma. Usually, the brain can process information and move on from it. In the case of a traumatic experience, such as a car accident or being attacked, the information becomes trapped in your brain. When this traumatic information is unable to be processed, it continues to be present in your limbic system. This limbic system is responsible for the “fight or flight” response. Traumatic memories that are stored there can continually be triggered when an event similar to the original experience occurs. In most cases, you are not thinking of the original event. You go on with life, putting these memories behind you. Unfortunately, the painful feelings that remain in your nervous system manifest as anxiety, panic, or even phobias. These symptoms can continue to be triggered in the present.

What would your session look like? After a thorough assessment and treatment planning, you would be asked to identify a specific disturbing memory. The processing is done with bilateral stimulation. In this case, the therapist will move their fingers back and forth in front of you, and you follow with your eyes. This movement mimics what happens during REM sleep. Other forms of bilateral stimulations use a lightbar, tappers, or headphones (to play a tone that goes back and forth). After each set of bilateral stimulation, you may experience changes in thoughts, images, or feelings. You can talk about these as much or as little as you feel like. With repeated sets of stimulation, the intensity of the original memory will decrease. The memory will still be there, but the way you relate to it will change.

There are 8 phases to the treatment. Phase 1 - History taking: You are assessed for readiness and a treatment plan is developed. At this time, possible targets are identified. Targets can be distressing memories or incidents that are related from the past.

Phase 2 - Preparation: Your therapist makes sure that you are equipped to handle any emotional distress that may occur during processing. You will learn self-regulating tools such as safe places, containment, and various mindfulness practices.

Phase 3 - Assessment (or setting up target): During this phase, you will access the memory to be targeted and gather information to reprocess the memory. Negative and positive cognitions or beliefs about yourself in the present will be examined.

Phase 4 - Desensitization: You will actually begin to reprocess the memory using the chosen bilateral stimulation.

Phase 5 - Installation (of a positive cognition): The positive belief about yourself will be further examined. You can decide if it still fits or if you would like to change it.

Phase 6 - Body scan: You will be directed to do a body scan looking for areas in the body where there may be residual tension.

Phase 7 - Closure: This phase includes debriefing. You will be guided through a safe place, containment exercise, or other stabilizing and orienting methods that are already in place. You are asked to keep a log of related experiences outside of session.

Phase 8 - Re-evaluation: You and your therapist will check on the status of the work in the next session. Has the target been resolved? Have additional targets around the original incident been reprocessed?

EMDR is not hypnotism. During the therapy you remain fully awake, in control, and can stop the process at any time. EMDR may not be for everyone. After building rapport with your therapist, it can then be decided if this therapy is a good fit for you. EMDR can be used as a part of your treatment process and can be integrated with other treatment modalities. For further information about EMDR, please visit www.EMDRIA.org (opens in a new tab) or www.EMDR.org (opens in a new tab). I am currently accepting new clients and would be happy to speak with you about whether EMDR might be helpful for you.