EMDR Therapy

What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR- You may have heard this term when people talk about therapy, but what does it actually mean?

EMDR is a type of therapy that requires specialized training and can be used for a variety of mental health issues. EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It was developed by Francine Shapiro, PhD in 1987 to primarily treat PTSD. EMDR is commonly used to treat trauma-related disorders including PTSD, but has also been shown to be effective in treating anxiety, depression, OCD, phobias, and other distressing life experiences (Maxfield, 2019). Traumatic or distressing memories can become “trapped” in a part of the brain called the amygdala which activates our fight-or-flight response. When this happens, distressing memories can send us into fight-or-flight mode involuntarily, causing increased feelings of anxiety, fear, terror, confusion, or shock.

How Does EMDR Work?

EMDR activates the brain using bilateral stimulation to activate parts of the brain. Bilateral stimulation works by using side-to-side eye movements, auditory stimulation (listening to tones), or tactile stimulation (holding “tappers”). In simpler terms, bilateral stimulation is helping to “jumpstart” your brain or get it back “online”. Bilateral stimulation activates the brain to move trapped, distressing memories from the amygdala into the pre-frontal cortex. Once these memories have made their way into the pre-frontal cortex, one may be able to think of the memory in a new way that is less distressing or that provides new meaning. EMDR works by lowering one’s level of distress to an unpleasant memory. EMDR for PTSD is an effective treatment as it helps to calm the nervous system when one faces people, places, or things that remind them of a traumatic event.

Benefits of EMDR

EMDR is a powerful therapeutic tool that can help lessen or alleviate the painful symptoms of trauma which can include:

  • Disturbing Memories

  • Nightmares

  • Anxiety/Fear

  • Depression

  • Low Self-Esteem

  • Dissociation

EMDR therapy does not require clients to go into great detail about the traumatic event that was experienced which can be helpful when working through disturbing memories. EMDR therapy works with the brain’s natural healing process to heal from trauma. EMDR can help get past cognitive or emotional “blocks” that other therapies may be unable to resolve.

What Are EMDR Sessions Like?

EMDR therapy requires preparing the client before beginning EMDR. We will work to establish coping mechanisms for you to use inside and outside of therapy before starting EMDR. EMDR can trigger unwanted memories and emotions, and it is important that you can cope with what may come up in a session. Once you are prepared for EMDR, we will identify the most distressing memories or symptoms that you wish to address first. From there, we will begin the desensitization and reprocessing phase of EMDR by using bilateral stimulation. I will ask you to focus on the memory, thought, emotion, or physical sensation as we apply the bilateral stimulation. Your brain will activate and begin to move through thoughts, memories, and emotions. Every person is different in how much time it takes to complete a reprocessing session. After the session, your brain may continue to process the thoughts that came up for you during EMDR. It is important to get good sleep and minimize stress after an EMDR session.

Can EMDR Be Harmful?

EMDR therapy is a powerful psychotherapeutic tool that must be done by a trained, EMDR professional. EMDR can cause intense emotions, and if these emotions are left unattended, it can cause someone to become worse. I will work with you to develop tools and processes for understanding and navigating intense emotions or reactions that may occur from EMDR therapy. I will need you to communicate with me if you are feeling worse or having distressing symptoms occur outside of therapy. EMDR is a process, and sometimes it can feel like things are getting worse before they get better. EMDR therapy activates your brain so that you can resolve unwanted memories or symptoms and it is common for some of these symptoms to re-surface as you work through the trauma.

Is EMDR For Me?

EMDR therapy can help children, adolescents, and adults of all ages. EMDR therapy is used for individuals suffering from:

  • PTSD and other trauma-related issues

  • Panic Attacks

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Grief and Loss

  • Sexual Abuse or Sexual Assault

  • Physical or Emotional Abuse

  • Traumatic incidents including car accidents, medical trauma, etc.

  • Phobias

  • Performance Anxiety

Before beginning EMDR therapy, we will identify current symptoms you’re experiencing, stressors in your life, and coping tools you already have. EMDR therapy can bring up intense emotions and memories and it’s important that you are prepared to handle what can come up in EMDR sessions. We will work to make sure you are ready to begin EMDR and I will be there to help guide you should strong emotions or memories surface. EMDR therapy has the power to help your brain create new meaning and insights about your past, present, and future.

If you would like more information about EMDR therapy and if you would be a good candidate for EMDR, please reach out to me for an initial consultation. Thank you!

Maxfield, L. (2019). A clinician’s guide to the efficacy of EMDR therapy. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research [Editorial], 13(4), 239-246. Open access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/1933-3196.13.4.239