EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing)

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy approach designed to help people heal from trauma and other distressing life experiences. It uses bilateral stimulation, typically eye movements, to help your brain process traumatic memories in a healthier way.

Table of Contents

• What Is EMDR?
• How EMDR Works
• What EMDR Treats
• The Eight Phases of EMDR
• What to Expect During EMDR
• Benefits of EMDR
• Types of Bilateral Stimulation
• EMDR for Different Types of Trauma
• Who Can Benefit from EMDR
• Potential Side Effects
• EMDR vs. Other Trauma Therapies
• Finding an EMDR Therapist
• Preparing for EMDR
• Self-Care During EMDR
• When EMDR Might Not Be Appropriate
• Research and Effectiveness
• Related Terms
• References

What Is EMDR?

Key aspects of EMDR include:

Bilateral Stimulation: Rhythmic left-right stimulation that activates both sides of your brain, typically through eye movements, sounds, or tactile sensations.

Dual Awareness: You remain aware of both the traumatic memory and your present safety during processing.

Natural Healing Process: EMDR activates your brain's natural ability to heal from psychological trauma.

Structured Protocol: EMDR follows a specific eight-phase protocol to ensure safe and effective treatment.

How EMDR Works

Memory Networks: Traumatic memories can become isolated from other memory networks, causing them to remain "frozen" in time with their original emotions and sensations.

Bilateral Stimulation Effects: The eye movements or other bilateral stimulation help connect the traumatic memory to more adaptive memory networks, reducing its emotional charge.

Integration Process: Through EMDR, disturbing memories become integrated with more positive and realistic thoughts and feelings.

What EMDR Treats

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Complex trauma
• Childhood abuse and neglect
• Combat trauma
• Accident-related trauma

Other Conditions

• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Phobias
• Panic disorder
• Grief and loss
• Performance anxiety

Specific Traumas

• Single-incident traumas (accidents, assaults, natural disasters)
• Repeated traumas (ongoing abuse, war experiences)
• Developmental trauma (early childhood experiences)
• Recent traumatic events

The Eight Phases of EMDR

Phase 2: Preparation: You learn coping skills and relaxation techniques to help you manage emotional distress during and between sessions.

Phase 3: Assessment: You and your therapist identify the specific memory to target and measure your current level of distress.

Phase 4: Desensitisation: You focus on the traumatic memory while following bilateral stimulation until the memory becomes less disturbing.

Phase 5: Installation Positive beliefs about yourself are strengthened and associated with the memory.

Phase 6: Body Scan: You check for any remaining physical tension or discomfort related to the memory.

Phase 7: Closure: Each session ends with techniques to help you return to a calm state.

Phase 8: Reevaluation: At the beginning of subsequent sessions, your therapist checks your progress and plans next steps.

What to Expect During EMDR

During Processing: You'll focus on a traumatic memory while following your therapist's finger movements or other bilateral stimulation. You may experience various thoughts, feelings, or sensations.

Between Sessions: You might notice changes in how you think or feel about the traumatic event. Some people experience vivid dreams or emotional reactions.

Session Length: EMDR sessions typically last 60-90 minutes, longer than traditional therapy sessions.

Number of Sessions: The number of sessions varies depending on your specific trauma history and symptoms, ranging from a few sessions to several months.

Benefits of EMDR

Reduced Avoidance: You can think about or discuss traumatic events without the intense emotional distress you experienced before.

Improved Daily Functioning: Symptoms like nightmares, flashbacks, and hypervigilance often decrease significantly.

Enhanced Self-Esteem: Negative beliefs about yourself related to the trauma are replaced with more positive, realistic thoughts.

Better Relationships: As trauma symptoms decrease, many people find their relationships improve.

Types of Bilateral Stimulation

Auditory Stimulation: Alternating sounds in each ear through headphones can provide bilateral stimulation.

Tactile Stimulation: Alternating vibrations or taps on your hands, knees, or shoulders.

Self-Administered: Some techniques can be used on your own, such as the butterfly hug (alternating taps on your shoulders).

EMDR for Different Types of Trauma

Complex Trauma: Multiple or prolonged traumatic experiences may require longer treatment and additional preparation.

Childhood Trauma: Early traumatic experiences often require careful preparation and may involve working with developmental issues.

Recent Trauma: EMDR can be effective for recent traumatic events, sometimes preventing the development of PTSD.

Who Can Benefit from EMDR

Children and Adolescents: Modified EMDR protocols are available for younger clients, often incorporating play therapy elements.

First Responders and Military: EMDR is widely used to treat combat trauma and occupational trauma in first responders.

People with Multiple Traumas: EMDR can help people who have experienced multiple traumatic events throughout their lives.

Potential Side Effects

Vivid Dreams: You may have more vivid or unusual dreams as your brain continues processing between sessions.

Emotional Reactions: Strong emotions may surface during or after sessions as traumatic memories are reprocessed.

Physical Sensations: Some people experience physical sensations like fatigue, headaches, or muscle tension.

EMDR vs. Other Trauma Therapies

EMDR vs. Prolonged Exposure: EMDR doesn't require detailed verbal recounting of traumatic events or homework assignments.

EMDR vs. Traditional Talk Therapy: EMDR can produce results more quickly and doesn't require extensive discussion of traumatic details.

Finding an EMDR Therapist

Experience with Trauma: Choose therapists who have specific experience treating trauma and your particular type of traumatic experience.

Certification: EMDRIA-certified therapists have met additional training and consultation requirements.

Consultation: During initial consultations, ask about the therapist's EMDR training and experience.

Preparing for EMDR

Safety: Make sure you're in a stable living situation and not currently experiencing ongoing trauma.

Realistic Expectations: Understand that EMDR can bring up difficult emotions and memories before improvement occurs.

Support System: Have supportive people available to help you between sessions if needed.

Self-Care During EMDR

Physical Care: Get adequate sleep, exercise, and nutrition to support your healing process.

Emotional Support: Stay connected with supportive friends, family, or support groups.

Patience: Allow yourself time to process and heal - trauma recovery is not linear.

When EMDR Might Not Be Appropriate

Severe Dissociation: People with severe dissociative disorders may need specialised preparation before EMDR.

Unstable Mental Health: Active psychosis or severe depression may require stabilisation before trauma processing.

Ongoing Trauma: If you're currently experiencing trauma, safety and stabilisation should be the first priority.

Research and Effectiveness

Comparison Studies: Research shows EMDR is as effective as other evidence-based trauma treatments.

Brain Imaging: Studies using brain scans show that EMDR creates positive changes in how the brain processes traumatic memories.

Long-Term Benefits: Follow-up studies demonstrate that EMDR benefits are maintained over time.

Related Terms

• PTSD - Primary condition treated with EMDR
• Trauma - Underlying issue that EMDR addresses
• Therapy - General category of treatment that includes EMDR

References

American Psychological Association. (2024). Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy. https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/treatments/eye-movement-reprocessing

PMC/NCBI. (2024). The Role of Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3951033/

Cleveland Clinic. (2022). EMDR Therapy: What It Is, Procedure & Effectiveness. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22641-emdr-therapy

EMDR Institute. (2024). Research Overview. https://www.emdr.com/research-overview/

VA National Centre for PTSD. (2024). Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) for PTSD. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/txessentials/emdr_pro.asp

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health treatment. If you're considering EMDR, consult with a qualified, EMDR-trained therapist to determine if it's appropriate for your specific situation.