Methods
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences. Repeated studies show that by using EMDR therapy people can experience the benefits of psychotherapy that once took years to attain. It is widely assumed that severe emotional pain requires a long time to heal. EMDR therapy shows that the mind can in fact heal from psychological trauma much as the body recovers from physical trauma. When you cut your hand, your body works to close the wound. If a foreign object or repeated injury irritates the wound, it festers and causes pain. EMDR therapy demonstrates that a similar sequence of events occurs with mental processes. The brain’s information processing system naturally moves toward mental health. If the system is blocked or imbalanced by the impact of a disturbing event, the emotional wound festers and can cause intense suffering. Once the block is removed, healing resumes. Using the detailed protocols and procedures learned in EMDR therapy training sessions, clinicians help clients activate their natural healing processes.
First, you will be taught several self-soothing, grounding practices that can be used if your emotional experiences become too intense.
Next, your therapist will walk you through identifying possible “targets” for EMDR, for example, an intrusive, traumatic memory.
Then, when a target is chosen, your clinician will guide you through a series of steps to focus on that memory, accompanied by visual and/or tactile bilateral stimulation, helping to activate your brain’s natural healing processes.
While there are no 100% guarantees that you will be fully and perfectly relieved of your suffering, it is worth noting that more than thirty positive controlled outcome studies have been done on EMDR, showing that 84%-90% of single-trauma survivors no longer have post-traumatic stress symptoms after only three 90-minute sessions.
Another study found that 100% of single-trauma survivors and 77% of multi-trauma survivors no longer met the criteria for PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) after six 50-minute sessions. In another study, 77% of combat veterans were symptom-free after twelve sessions.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is a type of psychotherapy that helps individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences. It involves recalling distressing memories while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or taps. This process allows the brain to reprocess the traumatic memories, reducing their emotional intensity and facilitating adaptive resolution.
EMDR therapy has shown effectiveness in treating various psychological conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, phobias, depression, and complex trauma. It can benefit individuals who have experienced traumatic events, such as physical or sexual abuse, accidents, natural disasters, or combat-related trauma. EMDR is also used to address other distressing experiences, negative beliefs, and emotional difficulties.
EMDR therapy offers several advantages over other forms of therapy. It is often shorter in duration compared to traditional talk therapies, as it focuses on specific traumatic memories or experiences. EMDR targets the root causes of distress and aims to resolve them rather than solely managing symptoms. The bilateral stimulation used in EMDR therapy helps facilitate the brain’s natural healing process, allowing individuals to integrate and reprocess traumatic memories more efficiently.
Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of EMDR therapy in treating trauma-related conditions. It has been recognized as an evidence-based treatment by organizations such as the American Psychiatric Association (APA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Research suggests that EMDR therapy can lead to significant symptom reduction, improved emotional well-being, and enhanced quality of life for individuals experiencing trauma-related distress.
Emotional pain can be fairly common in EMDR sessions. Fortunately, if you see the process through, the pain is typically short-lived. Your therapist will be with you every step of the way.
Your therapist will use a remote-controlled light bar and hand buzzers to provide the bilateral stimulation required for EMDR therapy.
