When Talk Therapy Isn’t Enough - Is EMDR Right For Me?
Sometimes talk therapy doesn’t feel like quite enough to truly get at what has happened. What do we do then? Methods like EMDR!
EMDR (which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy approach used to help individuals process and heal from traumatic memories and distressing life experiences. It was developed by Francine Shapiro, an American psychologist, in the late 1980s. Shapiro initially made a chance observation that certain eye movements seemed to reduce the intensity of disturbing thoughts and feelings. This observation led to the development of EMDR as a formal therapeutic technique.
EMDR is designed to help individuals process and reprocess traumatic memories and distressing experiences that have become "stuck" in their minds, causing emotional distress and psychological symptoms. During EMDR therapy, the therapist guides the client in a series of structured phases, which include:
History Taking:
The therapist gathers information about the client's history, the traumatic events or distressing memories, and their current emotional state. This is called a Target Sequence Plan and the client and therapist will work together to identify specific neural pathways related to a core belief.
Preparation:
The therapist helps the client develop coping skills and strategies to handle distressing emotions and prepare for the EMDR process.
Desensitization:
In this phase, the client recalls the traumatic memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation. This stimulation can take the form of following the therapist's hand movements with their eyes, cross body tapping, auditory tones, or a variety of other techniques.
Reprocessing:
As the client recalls the memory and experiences the bilateral stimulation, the goal is to help the brain reprocess the traumatic memory, reducing its emotional intensity and allowing it to be integrated into the person's broader life narrative.
Installation:
This phase involves the development of positive (adaptive) beliefs and emotions to replace the negative ones associated with the traumatic memory.
Body Scan:
The client is asked to notice any physical tension or discomfort related to the memory and use bilateral stimulation to alleviate it.
Closure:
The therapist guides the client through a calming exercise, ensuring they feel grounded and safe before concluding the session.
Reevaluation:
Subsequent sessions involve reviewing progress, addressing any remaining distress, and determining whether further EMDR sessions are needed. The therapist will offer grounding strategies for clients before they leave the office and note that processing may continue between sessions. Sometimes, reprocessing can take multiple sessions, other times, a memory may be reprocessed in a single session.
EMDR is widely recognized for its effectiveness in treating conditions related to trauma, especially post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
It has gained acceptance in the field of psychotherapy and is considered a valuable tool for many individuals seeking relief from the emotional burden of traumatic experiences.
It has also been adapted and used to address various anxiety disorders, phobias, and other distressing conditions not necessarily linked to trauma.
Common Questions About EMDR
Does EMDR Really Work?
Yes, EMDR has a proven track record. Numerous studies have shown its effectiveness in treating trauma and PTSD. It's even recognized by major mental health organizations.
Is EMDR right for everyone?
While EMDR can help many, it might not be suitable if you're in an acute crisis (although some therapists may use a technique called Critical Incident Reprocessing for acute crisis intervention), on certain medications, or have certain mental health symptoms. It's best to consult with a qualified therapist to see if it's a good fit for you, and might recommend starting with talk therapy or skills based therapies prior to beginning EMDR.
Is EMDR scary or painful?
EMDR is designed to be a gentle process. While it may bring up tough emotions temporarily, your therapist will ensure you have the tools to cope with them.
How long does EMDR take?
The number of sessions varies from person to person. Some folks start feeling better after just a few sessions, while others may need more time. The length of each session is the same as a regular talk therapy session.
What can EMDR be used for?
Tons of different situations and diagnoses, including trauma and PTSD, including perinatal, fertility, or birth-related trauma. As well as other anxiety-related conditions that aren’t directly related to a specific trauma. Basically - ask your therapist if it works well with what your lived experience or symptoms are. There are a couple situations that it should not be used for, but not many.
