What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. Developed in the late 1980s by Francine Shapiro, EMDR is a form of psychotherapy that primarily focuses on treating individuals who have experienced distressing or traumatic events.
EMDR is best known for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but it’s also used for:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Phobias
- Panic Attacks
- Grief and loss
- Chronic pain
- Chronic stress
- Addictions
How does EMDR Treatment Work?
The goal of EMDR is to reduce the emotional charge associated with traumatic or distressing memories.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR targets the memory directly rather than just the problematic symptoms. This helps change the way the memory is stored in the brain, which helps reduce and eliminate the symptoms.
With EMDR, you don’t have to talk in detail about the traumatic or distressing experience. This can be especially helpful for individuals who find it painful or shameful talking about past events.
For these reasons, many people report significant relief in fewer sessions, especially when dealing with single-event trauma. Results also tend to be sustained over time.
Other benefits include:
- Less triggering memories (memories become more distant or neutral)
- Less emotional reactivity and improved emotional resilience
- Replaces negative self-beliefs (“I’m not safe,” “I’m powerless”) with more adaptive ones (“I’m safe now,” “I’m in control now”)
What Happens During EMDR Therapy?
To start EMDR therapy, you and your therapist will identify the specific memory and associated beliefs to target. You will also learn coping strategies to help regulate your emotions during treatment.
During an EMDR session, your therapist guides you through a series of standardized procedures designed to stimulate bilateral brain activity while you focus on the memory. This is known as bilateral stimulation.
The most common procedure used is side-to-side movement of the eyes. Other techniques include alternating sounds or taps.
After the procedure, your therapist will have you check for any residual tension or distress and end the session in a safe state.
It may take a few sessions or more to experience a significant reduction in distress.
EMDR can be used along with talk therapy to support the processing of traumatic or distressing experiences. It’s an evidence-based effective form of treatment that allows for healing and healthier emotional functioning in a relatively short amount of time.
Conclusion
EMDR Therapy is an evidence-based, effective form of therapy that promotes deep healing and healthier emotional functioning in a relatively short period of time.
If you’re interested in learning more or beginning EMDR therapy, contact us today to get started.
