What is EMDR Trauma Therapy?
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy was developed in 1989 to help victims of trauma process their experiences. It is now recognized worldwide as a safe, effective treatment for trauma. EMDR targets your specific distressing memories and recontextualizes them so that they’re no longer triggered by other sights, words, smells, or experiences.
The Science Behind EMDR
Much like the rapid eye movement phase in sleep, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to get your brain to process memories. A therapist will have your eyes track a pen, their hand, a light, or another object from left to right as you recount the emotions and sensory details of a traumatic memory. Even if you have a hard time sharing the details of your trauma, EMDR can be particularly helpful—you’re focusing more on the sensory experience than the actual event. This therapy combines the neurological process of memory with the emotional processes of psychotherapy to transform your traumatic event into one of insight. Study after study has shown EMDR therapy to be incredibly effective in relieving emotional distress.
The Benefits of EMDR
EMDR is generally recommended for those with post-traumatic stress disorder, but it is useful for treating a variety of mental health issues. People with anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, psychosis, and substance abuse disorder can all benefit from EMDR therapy.
How EMDR sessions work
EMDR consists of eight phases which take place up to 12 therapy sessions or more. Typically, you will target a specific memory over the course of up to 3 sessions.
- Phase 1: Your therapist will develop a timeline and treatment plan with you. You’ll begin discussing your traumatic target memories, your current triggers, and your goals for therapy.
- Phase 2: Your therapist will prepare you for the more intense phases of treatment. You might practice eye movements and talk about stress management. Additionally, you’ll talk about coping with the feelings that might arise during your treatment.
- Phase 3: You and your therapist will determine which memories to target. You’ll assess these memories based on your physical sensations, unwanted thoughts, and distressing emotions.
- Phase 4: Your therapist will guide you through bilateral stimulation (eye movements) as you recall your traumatic memory. You’ll talk about what new thoughts emerge after the session and perhaps refocus your memory while being guided through another bilateral stimulation. This repeats until the memory is no longer distressing.
- Phase 5: Your goal is to install a new positive thought or emotion into the traumatic experience. This replaces the unwanted thought or emotion you discussed in phase 3.
- Phase 6: You will observe your bodily sensations and physical responses to your targeted memory. If you still have residual distress, you’ll repeat phase 4.
- Phase 7: You’ll end your sessions by receiving techniques to contain your targeted memory if it was not fully processed.
- Phase 8: You’ll begin your next sessions by re-evaluating the effects treatment has had up to that point, any new thoughts or feelings that have emerged, and what else should be targeted in therapy.
Is EMDR right for you?
If you’ve gone through a traumatic experience and other types of therapy don’t seem to be helping, EMDR might be a good option for you. You might even be feeling burnt out from trying different behavioral therapies. Look for an EMDR-trained therapist through the EMDR Institute or EMDR International Association. When you reach out to potential therapists, don’t be afraid to be specific about your concerns and what mental health issues you’re suffering from, so they can point you in the right treatment direction.
To find out more about whether EMDR trauma therapy is right for you, please reach out to us.
