What is EMDR therapy and what should you expect?
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 make a difference. It is widely assumed that …
What should you expect in EMDR therapy?
EMDR therapy is an eight-phase trauma treatment that comprehensively identifies and addresses experiences that have overwhelmed the brain’s natural resilience or coping capacity, thereby generating traumatic symptoms and/or harmful coping strategies.
Is EMDR a good therapy?
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a mental health treatment technique. This method involves moving your eyes a specific way while you process traumatic memories. EMDR’s goal is to help you heal from trauma or other distressing life experiences. Compared to other therapy methods, EMDR is relatively new.
What is EMDR and how can it help me?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and other distressing life experiences, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and panic disorders.
What is EMDR and how does it work?
At first glance, EMDR appears to approach psychological issues in an unusual way. It does not rely on talk therapy or medications. Instead, EMDR uses a patient's own rapid, rhythmic eye movements. These eye movements dampen the power of emotionally charged memories of past traumatic events.Nov 6, 2021
Why is EMDR so controversial?
The efficacy of EMDR for PTSD is an extremely controversial subject among researchers, as the available evidence can be interpreted in several ways. On one hand, studies have shown that EMDR produces greater reduction in PTSD symptoms compared to control groups receiving no treatment.
Does EMDR really work?
Yes. Numerous controlled studies show that EMDR produces more improvement than absence of treatment, at least for alleviating the symptoms of civilian PTSD, such as those triggered by rape. The evidence that pertains to EMDR's efficacy for other anxiety disorders is promising but preliminary.
What happens during an EMDR session?
While the client focuses on the upsetting event, the therapist will begin sets of side-to-side eye movements, sounds, or taps. The client will be guided to notice what comes to mind after each set. They may experience shifts in insight or changes in images, feelings, or beliefs regarding the event.
Who is not a good candidate for EMDR?
If you're emotions feel overwhelming or if you tend to shut down when you feel an emotion you may not be ready for EMDR treatment. EMDR therapy relies on your body and mind's ability to process through your thoughts and feelings. If you're unable to process in that way, EMDR therapy may not be effective.Dec 3, 2019
Who should not do EMDR?
Because stability must come first, you don't use EMDR to process trauma when a patient is actively abusively using alcohol, drugs, or something to help them feel less. You can't effectively practice EMDR phases 3 – 8 with someone who has yet to experience a safe, trusting relationship.Jan 17, 2019
What are the 8 stages of EMDR?
EMDR is an eight-phased treatment method used to help combat traumatic experiences and other mental health disorders. The phases are broken up into history taking, client preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation, body scan, closure, and examining the progress of the treatment.Jan 2, 2020
Is EMDR a form of hypnosis?
In fact, EMDR is a very unique treatment method, which like other types of treatment/methods/techniques (e.g. psychoanalytic/psychodynamic therapy, behavior, cognitive-behavioral therapy, ego-state therapy) can also be incorportated with hypnosis (Hammond, 1990).
Can EMDR make things worse?
As I tell my clients, EMDR can make things more painful following a session, especially if you are working on a new painful splinter. What's important to remember is that this is all part of the healing process; even if things get worse for a moment that moment will not last and you will be better than before.Oct 7, 2019
Do you talk during EMDR?
After each set of movement, you'll talk about what came to mind during that session. Your thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and images regarding the event may change. This is an indication of the reprocessing that is taking place.
Does EMDR change your personality?
How Does EMDR Make You Feel? This is a big question. EMDR has a profound positive impact on many people. Studies show that a significant amount of people see a reduction in PTSD symptoms such as hallucinations, depression, and anxiety after being treated with EMDR.Apr 2, 2021
What does EMDR feel like?
EMDR repeatedly stimulates the hemispheres (left and right sides) of your brain so it's only natural that afterwards you'll maybe feel a bit funny. Some people report this as feeling like sort of a vibration in their chest and abdomen, while others say that it feel more like having a couple glasses of wine.Oct 3, 2016
What is EMDR therapy?
EMDR therapy is an eight-phase trauma treatment that comprehensively identifies and addresses experiences that have overwhelmed the brain’s natural resilience or coping capacity, thereby generating traumatic symptoms and/or harmful coping strategies.
What is left eye movement?
The left – right eye movements in EMDR therapy are a form of “bilateral stimulation”. Other forms of bilateral stimulation used by EMDR therapists include alternating bilateral sound using headphones and alternating tactile simulation using a handheld device that vibrates or taps to the back of the patient’s hands.
Does Trauma Recovery/HAP make referrals for psychotherapy?
Trauma Recovery/HAP does not make referrals for psychotherapy. The following websites help individuals locate a therapist by geography, specialty area or level of training: EMDR International Association: www.emdria.org, or the EMDR Institute, www.emdr.com. Research Findings. Research on EMDR is ongoing.
How is EMDR different from other therapies?
How is EMDR therapy different from other therapies? EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue or. completing homework between sessions. EMDR therapy, rather than focusing on changing the. emotions, thoughts, or behaviors resulting from the distressing issue, allows the brain to. resume its natural healing process.
What are the benefits of EMDR?
Who can benefit from EMDR therapy? 1 Eating disorders 2 Grief and loss 3 Pain 4 Performance anxiety 5 Personality disorders 6 PTSD and other trauma and stress-related issues
How many phases of EMDR therapy are there?
Experiencing EMDR Therapy. After the therapist and client agree that EMDR therapy is a good fit, the client will work through the eight phases of EMDR therapy with their therapist. Attention will be given to a negative image, belief, and body feeling related to this event, and then to a positive belief that would indicate the issue was resolved.
How long does EMDR therapy last?
A typical EMDR therapy session lasts from 60-90 minutes. EMDR therapy may be used within a standard talking therapy, as an adjunctive therapy with a separate therapist, or as a treatment all by itself. Learn more about Experiencing EMDR Therapy.
What are the challenges of EMDR?
Therapists use EMDR therapy to address a wide range of challenges: Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias. Chronic Illness and medical issues. Depression and bipolar disorders. Dissociative disorders. Eating disorders. Grief and loss. Pain. Performance anxiety.
When did Francine Shapiro start EMDR?
In the late 1980s , Francine Shapiro discovered a connection between eye movement and persistent upsetting memories. With this personal insight, she began what became a lifelong study and development of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.
Is EMDR a mental health intervention?
EMDR therapy is a mental health intervention. As such, it should only be offered by properly trained and licensed mental health clinicians. EMDRIA does not condone or support indiscriminate uses of EMDR therapy such as "do-it-yourself" virtual therapy.
How does EMDR work?
Unlike other treatments that focus on directly altering the emotions, thoughts and responses resulting from traumatic experiences, EMDR therapy focuses directly on the memory, and is intended to change the way that the memory is stored in the brain, thus reducing and eliminating the problematic symptoms .
What is EMDR International Association?
EMDR International Association. A professional association for EMDR practitioners that maintains information about training and certification in the provision of EMDR. Website. EMDR Institute. Founded by Dr. Francine Shapiro, the developer of EMDR, and provides information about research and training in EMDR.
How long does it take to process a memory?
Processing of a specific memory is generally completed within one to three sessions. EMDR therapy differs from other trauma-focused treatments in that it does not include extended exposure to the distressing memory, detailed descriptions of the trauma, challenging of dysfunctional beliefs or homework assignments.
How many times a week is EMDR?
EMDR is an individual therapy typically delivered one to two times per week for a total of 6-12 sessions, although some people benefit from fewer sessions. Sessions can be conducted on consecutive days.
What is structured therapy?
A structured therapy that encourages the patient to briefly focus on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements), which is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories.
What is unprocessed memory?
These unprocessed memories are understood to contain the emotions, thoughts, beliefs and physical sensations that occurred at the time of the event. When the memories are triggered these stored disturbing elements are experienced and cause the symptoms of PTSD and/or other disorders. Unlike other treatments that focus on directly altering ...
What is phase 8 in therapy?
The next session starts with phase eight, re-evaluation, during which the therapist evaluates the client's current psychological state, whether treatment effects have maintained, what memories may have emerged since the last session, and works with the client to identify targets for the current session.
Are you ready to discover your college program?
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a recall-based therapy modality for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In other words, EMDR uses eye movements while recalling traumatic memories to help people with PTSD reduce the impact of traumatic memories on daily functioning.
How EMDR Works
The adaptive information processing model hypothesizes that people develop PTSD because their brains do not effectively process traumatic memories. As a result, these memories interfere with normal functioning, as the brain keeps reliving the initial memories or stress response. EMDR techniques can change this brain pattern.
Does EMDR Work?
A summary of preliminary and small-scale studies show that EMDR is an effective therapy modality. (Please note: an EMDR organization funded this study.)
Can EMDR Cause Harm?
The debate continues about EMDR's effectiveness, but even skeptics generally agree that EMDR does not present any direct risks when properly conducted. The leading EMDR organizations do not recommend attempting to use EMDR techniques on yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. EMDR is a psychotherapy technique that uses eye movements combined with recalling traumatic events to help reduce the effects of PTSD.
Is EMDR a Good Fit?
Is EMDR therapy a good fit for you? If you already have a mental health professional, such as a psychologist or therapist, ask them if they think EMDR might be valuable for you.
EMDR Certification
The EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) and the EMDR Institute, founded by Shapiro, both offer training and certification in EMDR. EMDRIA offers certification for mental health professionals who have an advanced degree, at least two years of experience as a mental health professional, and have completed training and consultation.
How does EMDR therapy work?
EMDR therapy is considered a new, nontraditional form of psychotherapy. Therapists mostly use it to treat PTSD or trauma responses.
Who can benefit from EMDR?
Much of the research involving EMDR therapy is on its use in working with trauma and treating PTSD.
The 8 phases of EMDR
With EMDR, you’ll usually have one or two sessions per week, about 6 to 12 sessions in total. You may require more or fewer sessions depending on your individual response to therapy.
Is EMDR effective?
While the exact mechanisms behind EMDR remain up for debate, this therapy is recognized as an effective treatment by a number of national and international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Psychiatric Association (APA).
Are there dangers or side effects?
Most forms of therapy can have side effects. These secondary reactions can range from mild to severe, even with EMDR therapy.
Next steps
Past memories can do far more than just create feelings of sadness. If you’ve experienced trauma, these memories can impair your daily functioning.
Why is EMDR therapy effective?
EMDR is thought to be effective because recalling distressing events is often less emotionally upsetting when your attention is diverted.
What is the third phase of EMDR?
During the third phase of EMDR treatment, your therapist will identify the specific memories that will be targeted and all the associated components (such as the physical sensations that are stimulated when you concentrate on an event) for each target memory.
What percentage of people in the EMDR group showed full remission after treatment?
The study found that 68 percent of the people in the EMDR group showed full remission after treatment. The EMDR group also showed a stronger decrease in depressive symptoms overall. Because of the small sample size, more research is needed.
What is the first step in trauma therapy?
Phase 1: History and treatment planning . Your therapist will first review your history and decide where you are in the treatment process. This evaluation phase also includes talking about your trauma and identifying potential traumatic memories to treat specifically.
Why is therapy so stressful?
The beginning of therapy may be exceptionally triggering to people starting to deal with traumatic events, specifically because of the heightened focus. While the therapy will likely be effective in the long run, it may be emotionally stressful to move through the course of treatment.
What to do after bilateral stimulation?
After the bilateral stimulation, your therapist will ask you to let your mind go blank and notice the thoughts and feelings you’re having spontaneously. After you identify these thoughts, your therapist may have you refocus on that traumatic memory, or move on to another.
What is phase 2 of therapy?
Phase 2: Preparation. Your therapist will then help you learn several different ways to cope with the emotional or psychological stress you’re experiencing. Stress management techniques such as deep breathing and mindfulness may be used.
What is EMDR used for?
EMDR was first developed to treat symptoms of trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ). Currently, there is a lot of evidence that EMDR works for trauma, PTSD, and a number of other conditions. It is recognized worldwide as an effective, evidence-based treatment for PTSD.
How does EMDR work for trauma?
EMDR therapy works by helping your brain process traumatic memories. Our brains have a natural healing process after a traumatic event that is designed to occur on its own. This happens in the stress response and learning areas of the brain.
The phases of EMDR treatment
Once you begin EMDR, you’ll follow a structured treatment process done in eight phases. Each phase is designed to make sure you feel prepared, know what to expect, and to give you the best results.
What to expect during EMDR therapy for PTSD
EMDR therapy is different for everyone. It can be short-term or long-term depending on your trauma. EMDR for a single event, like a car crash, may only require a few sessions. Complex trauma — such as having a history of childhood abuse or domestic violence — often takes longer.
How to find an EMDR therapist
If you think EMDR might be helpful for you, it’s important to find a qualified therapist. An EMDR therapist needs special training. You can search online for trained EMDR therapists in your area. Check out directories like:
The bottom line
EMDR therapy is an effective and proven treatment for trauma and PTSD. It can also be used to treat many other conditions, including depression, anxiety, and chronic pain. EMDR can provide relief in just a few sessions. But, it may take longer depending on your history.
