EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing)

Have you tried psychotherapy but hit a block around certain problems? EMDR may be able to resolve long-standing issues that have not been responsive to traditional talk therapy. EMDR is highly effective in treating trauma, but can also be applied to other issues such as anxiety or panic attacks, low self-esteem or dysfunctional relationships.

EMDR is designated as an effective treatment by the American Psychiatric Association, the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs and Department of Defense, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Approximately 20 controlled studies have researched the effects of EMDR and consistently found that it effectively decreases or eliminates the symptoms of PTSD for the majority of clients.

How does EMDR work?

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, either through eye movement, sound or touch, to help the brain reprocess memories of disturbing events.

As humans, we are deeply affected by our experiences, good and bad. Disturbing events make an especially dramatic impact on our psyche. On one end of the spectrum, disturbing events can create maladaptive beliefs that result in unhealthy patterns of behavior. On the other end of the spectrum, disturbing events can be so traumatic that we experience flashbacks, nightmares, uncontrollable physical reactions and intense fear that impair day-to-day functioning.  

Such disturbing events, whether a car accident or being shamed by a parent, can get locked into the brain and body with the original picture, sounds, thoughts, feelings and body sensations. Certain situations can then trigger the fear and beliefs associated with the original event. EMDR seems to stimulate information related to the event and helps the brain reprocess and integrate the experience.

It is believed that our brain automatically uses bilateral eye movements during REM or dream sleep to process and integrate experiences from that day. EMDR replicates that process in a state of conscious awareness. The EMDR therapist guides you through the process and your brain does all the work.

What is the process like?

EMDR is a very structured protocol, and may seem a little awkward to those accustomed to the flow of traditional talk therapy. This protocol has evolved over two decades of practice and refinement to become designated as an effective treatment for PTSD. The first two to three sessions are used to determine whether you are a good candidate for the therapy, to clarify the issue, and prepare you for the event reprocessing. The reprocessing phases can take anywhere from three sessions to many more depending on your life circumstances and the extent of the trauma.

There are eight phases in the EMDR treatment:

1. History Taking: clarifying the issue; identifying events, memories and current triggers; treatment planning

2. Preparation: orienting to the eye movement process; teaching coping and stabilization skills

3. Assessment: review of the issue, target memories, negative beliefs and body sensations

4. Desensitization: reprocessing of target memory through eye movement

5. Installation: linking new positive beliefs and adaptive behaviors with the original memory

6. Body Scan: reprocessing any residual sensations/memories trapped in the body

7. Closure: closing and debriefing the EMDR session

8. Reevaluation: assessing if the target memory has been fully reprocessed and checking for new associations or targets for reprocessing

Throughout the process, there may be difficult and uncomfortable moments as the “frozen” memories are stimulated. Your psychological safety is fundamental to the process. We can stop at any time and assess what you are feeling and whether it is safe to continue. We can also integrate some traditional talk therapy sessions to assist in processing the overall therapeutic experience.

Goals of EMDR Psychotherapy

1. To achieve the most effective and efficient treatment results while maintaining client safety.

2. To achieve appropriate, adaptive and sustained resolution of problem issues.

3. To incorporate new skills, behaviors and beliefs about the self, and optimize the capacity to respond adaptively.