Why Bilateral Stimulation is Used in EMDR Therapy

EMDR therapy is a treatment that encourages the brain to process painful memories and speeds up its natural healing process. This form of therapy is an effective treatment for PTSD, anxiety, depression, and more. Bilateral stimulation is a key component of EMDR therapy because it provides the stimulation the brain needs to achieve the desired result. When used in EMDR therapy, BLS:

• Activates both sides of the brain to help process “stuck” memories.
• Desensitizes traumatic emotions to make them less painful and more manageable. 
• Improves relaxation, and focus, and decreases emotional reactivity.
• Encourages long-term memory storage to reduce flashbacks. 
• Reduces stress and anxiety and a sense of well-being.
• Challenges negative self-talk and forms a healthier self-image.

How Bilateral Stimulation is Used in EMDR Therapy

There are two main categories of bilateral stimulation used in EMDR therapy. The first is slow bilateral stimulation, which helps the client replace negative memories, thoughts, and emotions with positive ones. Slow, short sets of bilateral stimulation are used in this process. The second is fast bilateral stimulation, which is used to identify and consolidate traumatic memories that are stored in the mind and body. 

While these are the base forms of BLS, there are several types that can be used, including:

• Auditory Bilateral Stimulation: The client wears headphones to listen to tones that alternate from the left and right ear.
• Tactile Bilateral Stimulation: Pulsars are placed in each hand, and the client feels a pulse or vibration that alternates between each hand. There are also devices that can be worn on the wrists or ankles. 
• Visual Bilateral Stimulation: Lights or visual cues alternate from each side. The client looks at the light or visual aid as it moves back and forth between each eye. 

Both slow and fast bilateral stimulation are used in the desensitization, installation, and body scan phases of EMDR. More on this process:

• History Taking & Preparation: The counselor gathers information about the client’s symptoms and goals for treatment, and the client learns about what to expect during EMDR sessions. 
• Desensitization & Installation: The client recalls memories while using bilateral stimulation to foster and enhance the brain’s natural healing process. Positive thoughts and emotions gradually replace harmful ones. 
• Body Scan & Closure: The counselor guides the client through a whole-body scan to identify stress that’s stored in the body. The client and counselor discuss ways to manage painful thoughts, emotions, and memories that arise between sessions. 

Benefits of Bilateral Stimulation EMDR Therapy

Trauma can leave a person feeling “stuck” in painful memories, often reliving thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations over and over again. Bilateral stimulation helps the person move forward by processing the traumatic event until the pain is resolved. This helps the client regulate their emotions, stop ruminating on difficult memories, and alleviate distressing physical and psychological symptoms of PTSD. 

Christian Counseling in Raleigh, NC with BLS Therapy

If you or someone you love is having difficulty moving on after a traumatic event, and you want a faith-based approach to healing, then Christian EMDR therapy can help. There are EMDR-trained Christian therapists in Raleigh who can incorporate Christian values and ideas into each phase of the therapeutic process, so you can heal from trauma while growing your relationship with God at the same time. 

Contact a Christian BLS & EMDR Therapist in Raleigh, NC to Learn More

Are you interested in Christian Counseling in Raleigh that provides bilateral stimulation EMDR therapy? Reach out to Sojourner Counseling. We provide trauma counseling for children, teens, and adults. Our faith-based approach incorporates scriptures, prayer, hymns, and more during the EMDR sessions as requested by each client. Contact us anytime to learn more, or to schedule your initial appointment.

The post How to Understand Bilateral Stimulation in EMDR Therapy first appeared on Sojourner Counseling.