Our past traumas and PTSD have a tendency to influence our current emotions, feelings about ourselves, and how we react in different situations and relationships. Symptoms of past traumas can present themselves in many different ways, such as depression, anxiety, change in sleep, mood swings, change in appetite, body aches, nightmares and flashbacks, increased substance abuse, and dependence.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapy that helps us break through those emotional blocks by being aimed toward a trauma-focused approach and has a goal of processing and reducing traumatic memories. EMDR can take multiple sessions and will only begin after you and your trained clinician develop a solid and trusting relationship and discuss the course in treatment. The process will begin with identifying a traumatic memory or event that causes you any type of discomfort or triggers PTSD symptoms. Understanding EMDR and how it works can be incredibly beneficial to a person’s recovery.
What is EMDR therapy?
EMDR therapy stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy. Developed in the late 1980s by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro, this innovative approach has gained recognition as an effective treatment for trauma and various mental health issues. EMDR therapy aims to reprocess distressing memories and beliefs by using bilateral stimulation techniques.
During an EMDR therapy session, the therapist guides you through a series of eye movements, taps, or sounds, while you simultaneously focus on a specific distressing memory or belief. This bilateral stimulation helps access and reprocess the memory, allowing your brain to make new connections and integrate the experience in a healthier way.
The goal of EMDR therapy is not to erase memories but to facilitate the adaptive processing of traumatic events. By reprocessing these memories, EMDR therapy can help reduce the emotional distress associated with them and replace negative beliefs with more positive and realistic ones.
EMDR therapy is a holistic approach that addresses the mind, body, and emotions, providing a comprehensive healing experience. It has been recognized by reputable organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Psychiatric Association (APA), as an effective treatment for trauma-related disorders.
If you’re curious about how EMDR therapy could benefit you, let’s delve deeper into the understanding of trauma and its effects.
Understanding trauma and its effects
Trauma can manifest in various forms, including physical, emotional, or psychological experiences. It can result from a single distressing event or prolonged exposure to stressful situations. Traumatic experiences can leave a lasting impact on an individual’s mental and emotional well-being, affecting their ability to function and enjoy life fully.
When someone experiences a traumatic event, their brain’s natural coping mechanisms may become overwhelmed. The memory of the event, along with associated emotions and beliefs, can get “stuck” and continue to cause distress long after the event has occurred. This can lead to symptoms such as anxiety, depression, flashbacks, nightmares, and difficulties in relationships.
Traumatic memories are often stored in a fragmented and unprocessed manner, making them difficult to integrate into a person’s overall narrative. This fragmentation can contribute to the ongoing distress and negative beliefs associated with the traumatic experience.
EMDR therapy aims to address these fragmented memories and beliefs, helping individuals process and integrate their traumatic experiences in a healthier way. By doing so, EMDR therapy can alleviate the distressing symptoms and promote emotional healing.
Now that we have a better understanding of trauma and its effects, let’s explore the history and development of EMDR therapy.
The history and development of EMDR therapy
EMDR therapy was first discovered by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. While taking a walk in the park, Shapiro noticed that her own disturbing thoughts and emotions seemed to diminish as her eyes moved rapidly from side to side. This observation led her to develop a systematic approach to utilize this bilateral stimulation as a therapeutic intervention.
Shapiro initially called this approach “Eye Movement Desensitization” and tested its effectiveness in treating trauma-related disorders. Through her research and clinical trials, she found that EMDR therapy significantly reduced the distress associated with traumatic memories and improved individuals’ overall well-being.
As EMDR therapy gained recognition and popularity, its name was later changed to “Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing” to reflect the comprehensive nature of the treatment. Today, EMDR therapy is widely practiced and has become a respected therapeutic approach in the field of psychology.
The success and effectiveness of EMDR therapy have been supported by numerous research studies and clinical trials. Its evidence-based approach has made it a recommended treatment for trauma-related disorders by organizations such as the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Now that we understand the history and development of EMDR therapy, let’s explore how this therapy works to bring about healing and transformation.
How does EMDR therapy work?
EMDR therapy works by reprocessing distressing memories and beliefs that contribute to mental health challenges. It follows a structured eight-phase approach to facilitate healing and transformation.
Let’s take a closer look at each phase:
1. History Taking: In this initial phase, the therapist gathers information about your history, trauma, and current symptoms. This helps establish a foundation for the treatment.
2. Preparation: The therapist then prepares you for the EMDR therapy process by teaching you various coping skills and relaxation techniques. This phase ensures that you have the necessary tools to manage any distress that may arise during the therapy sessions.
3. Assessment: During the assessment phase, the therapist identifies the specific memories or beliefs that will be targeted for reprocessing. This involves determining the emotions, physical sensations, and negative beliefs associated with these memories.
4. Desensitization: The desensitization phase involves bilateral stimulation techniques, such as eye movements, taps, or sounds. The therapist guides you to focus on the targeted memory while engaging in these bilateral movements. This process helps desensitize the distress associated with the memory.
5. Installation: In the installation phase, the therapist helps you strengthen positive beliefs and resources to replace the negative beliefs associated with the targeted memory. This helps promote healing and resilience.
6. Body Scan: The body scan phase involves checking for any residual tension or physical sensations associated with the targeted memory. If any discomfort remains, the therapist guides you through further reprocessing.
7. Closure: At the end of each session, the therapist ensures that you feel stable and grounded before concluding. This phase helps maintain a sense of safety and stability between sessions.
8. Reevaluation: The reevaluation phase occurs at the beginning of each subsequent session, where the therapist assesses your progress and determines the next target for reprocessing.
Each EMDR therapy session typically lasts for about 60-90 minutes, and the number of sessions required varies depending on the individual and their specific needs. Now that we understand how EMDR therapy works, let’s explore the numerous benefits it offers.
Benefits of EMDR therapy
EMDR therapy offers a wide range of benefits for those seeking healing and transformation. Here are some key advantages of EMDR therapy:
1. Effective trauma treatment: EMDR therapy has been proven to be highly effective in treating trauma-related disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It helps reduce the distress associated with traumatic memories and promotes emotional healing.
2. Rapid results: EMDR therapy often produces quicker results compared to traditional therapy methods. The targeted reprocessing of distressing memories can lead to significant improvements in a shorter period.
3. Lasting change: EMDR therapy aims to create lasting change by addressing the root cause of distress rather than just managing symptoms. By reprocessing traumatic memories and negative beliefs, helps individuals develop healthier coping mechanisms and resilience.
4. Versatility: EMDR therapy can be used to address various mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, phobias, and addiction. It is a versatile treatment approach that can adapt to different individuals and their unique needs.
5. Enhanced self-awareness: Through the EMDR therapy process, individuals gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their emotions. This increased self-awareness can lead to personal growth and improved overall well-being.
6. Improved relationships: EMDR therapy can help individuals address the negative beliefs and emotional blocks that may be impacting their relationships. Promoting healing and resilience can enhance interpersonal connections and intimacy.
These are just a few examples of the many benefits EMDR therapy offers. Now, let’s explore who can benefit from this transformative therapy.
Who can benefit from EMDR therapy?
EMDR therapy can benefit a wide range of individuals who have experienced trauma, anxiety, or other mental health challenges. Here are some examples of individuals who may find EMDR therapy beneficial:
1. Trauma survivors: EMDR therapy is particularly effective for individuals who have experienced traumatic events, such as physical or sexual abuse, accidents, natural disasters, or combat-related trauma. It can help reduce the distress associated with these memories and promote healing.
2. Individuals with PTSD: EMDR therapy is a recommended treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can help individuals with PTSD reprocess traumatic memories, alleviate distressing symptoms, and improve overall well-being.
3. Anxiety and phobia sufferers: EMDR therapy can be beneficial for individuals struggling with anxiety disorders, phobias, or panic attacks. It helps address the underlying beliefs and triggers associated with these conditions, leading to reduced anxiety and improved quality of life.
4. Depression and mood disorders: EMDR therapy can complement traditional treatments for depression and mood disorders. By reprocessing negative beliefs and addressing underlying trauma, can help individuals develop healthier coping mechanisms and improve their mood.
5. Addiction recovery: EMDR therapy can be a valuable component of addiction recovery programs. It helps individuals address the underlying trauma or emotional wounds that may contribute to addictive behaviors, promoting lasting recovery.
It’s important to note that EMDR therapy is not suitable for everyone. It is best to consult with a qualified EMDR therapist to determine if this therapy is appropriate for your specific needs.
Now that we know who can benefit from EMDR therapy, let’s explore how to find a qualified EMDR therapist.
Finding an EMDR therapist
When seeking an EMDR therapist, it is crucial to find someone who is qualified and experienced in this therapeutic approach. Here are some steps to help you find a qualified EMDR therapist:
1. Research: Start by conducting thorough research to find EMDR therapists in your area. Look for therapists who specialize in trauma or have specific training in EMDR therapy.
2. Credentials and certifications: Verify the credentials and certifications of potential EMDR therapists. Look for therapists who are licensed mental health professionals and have completed an accredited EMDR training program.
3. Experience: Consider the experience of the therapist in working with individuals who have similar concerns or trauma histories. A therapist with experience in your specific areas of concern may be better equipped to address your needs effectively.
4. Initial consultation: Schedule an initial consultation with potential therapists to discuss your goals and concerns. This will allow you to assess their approach, expertise, and overall fit with your needs.
5. Trust and rapport: Trust and rapport are crucial in the therapeutic relationship. Choose a therapist with whom you feel comfortable and safe sharing your experiences and emotions.
Finding the right EMDR therapist is an important step in your healing journey. Now, let’s explore what to expect during an EMDR therapy session.
What to expect during an EMDR therapy session?
EMDR therapy sessions typically follow a structured format. Here’s what you can expect during an EMDR therapy session:
1. Preparation: The therapist will start by preparing you for the session, ensuring that you have the necessary coping skills and resources to manage any distress that may arise during the session.
2. Identifying targets: You and the therapist will identify specific memories or beliefs to target for reprocessing. These targets will be based on your goals and the distressing experiences you wish to address.
3. Bilateral stimulation: The therapist will guide you through bilateral stimulation techniques, such as eye movements, taps, or sounds, while you focus on the targeted memory or belief.
4. Processing and integration: As the bilateral stimulation continues, the therapist will facilitate the processing and integration of the targeted memory or belief. This may involve exploring associated emotions, physical sensations, and negative beliefs.
5. Closure: At the end of each session, the therapist will ensure that you feel stable and grounded before concluding. This may involve utilizing relaxation techniques or other coping skills to help you transition out of the session.
The number of sessions required varies depending on the individual and their specific needs. EMDR therapy is a collaborative process, and your therapist will work closely with you to determine the pace and duration of treatment.
Now, let’s explore some success stories of individuals who have experienced the transformative power of EMDR therapy.
