What is EMDR, and how does it work?
In recent years, you might have heard of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). If so, you might be wondering what it is and how it works. This article will help provide further information about EMDR and how it can be a beneficial therapy approach for anyone struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma & PTSD, grief, OCD, dissociative disorders, phobias, and other distressing events. Children, teens, and adults have found EMDR to be a very effective method to help them become unstuck where past and current distress has created a barrier for them moving forward. This post is intended to help you make an informed decision about the potential benefits and process of EMDR.
What is EMDR?
EMDR is an evidence-based therapy model developed by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. By using a bilateral stimulation technique, traditionally in the form of eye movements, Dr. Shapiro found that memories and events within the brain could be accessed and reprocessed within the brain in a non-maladaptive way. By doing so, EMDR clients experience decreased distress and reduced problematic symptoms. In sum, individuals can heal from the past, experience less reaction to triggers in the present, and move forward in the future with renewed confidence.
How does EMDR work?
EMDR recognizes the importance of memory networks within the human brain. Brains are constantly processing experiences, whether they are negative or positive. When people experience distressing events, brains can process and store events in a way that builds the memory networks between present occurrences and past distressing experiences. The brain then is “triggered”, and individuals can respond to a current event as if the brain and body were re-experiencing the distressing event from before. EMDR seeks to re-process and store these distressing events in a healthy, adaptive way, reducing triggers and easing the distress connected through these memory networks. To do this, EMDR-trained therapists guided clients through an eight-phase process described below.
1. History Taking
The first phase of EMDR therapy is ‘History Taking’. In this phase, clients will discuss their history with their therapist, who will then create an appropriate treatment plan to address distressing events for reprocessing. This step is crucial as it allows the therapist to understand the root cause of a client’s distress and plan the treatment accordingly.
2. Preparation
The ‘Preparation’ phase involves learning about EMDR techniques and developing emotion regulation skills to assist with reprocessing and emotional distress. An EMDR therapist will guide a client through various techniques and help the person develop skills to manage emotional distress during the therapy
process.
3. Assessment
The ‘Assessment’ phase is when clients and therapists identify a target event to reprocess. This includes identifying the related target image, negative and positive cognition, body sensations, and emotions. The goal is to pinpoint the specific event that causes distress to be addressed through the EMDR process.
4. Desensitization
In the ‘Desensitization’ phase, Bilateral Stimulation (BLS), such as eye movements, is applied while thinking of the distressing memory. This continues until the distress is lowered. During this phase, new thoughts, emotions, images, and body sensations may emerge as the mind processes the distressing
memory.
5. Installation
The ‘Installation’ phase involves strengthening the positive belief associated with the target memory, while replacing the old negative belief. This is an important step in helping clients shift their mindset from a negative to a neutral or positive perspective about the distressing event.
6. Body Scan
The ‘Body Scan’ phase involves scanning the body for any leftover distressing body sensations until all signs of distressing sensations are processed out. This phase helps to ensure that no residual distress is left in the body after the reprocessing of the memory.
7. Closure
The ‘Closure’ phase involves returning to a calm state at the end of the session through relaxation techniques. This ensures that a client leaves the therapy session feeling calm and composed, ready to face the world again.
8. Reevaluation
The ‘Reevaluation’ phase happens at the beginning of the next session. During this phase, clients and trained EMDR therapists review the progress of the target event, check for current distress, and identify a new target event if needed. This phase ensures that the therapy is progressing well and that any new distressing events are addressed promptly.
Conclusion:
EMDR is an empirically supported approach for targeting many difficulties you or your loved ones may face. While research shows the impact of the eight-phase approach with applied BLS, what’s most important is the healing many clients receive from current struggles and distressing memories. By becoming “unstuck”, you or your loved ones can pursue everyday life without the impairment that keeps them moving forward. With the guidance of a trained or certified EMDR therapist, you or your loved ones can begin to experience a new life.
Ready to become unstuck with the help of EMDR?
If you’ve landed on this page by searching for an “EMDR therapist near me” or “EMDR
therapy Raleigh”, then you’ve come to the right place. EMDR works effectively in person
and through online therapy, and Sojourner Counseling provides both options for those
seeking help. Please contact our office to schedule an appointment with a trained
EMDR therapist.