Heal Trauma, Find Peace with EMDR!
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EMDR is a psychotherapy technique that helps people heal from trauma and other distressing experiences
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR Therapy
How does EMDR work?
EMDR works when you recall a traumatic memory while focusing on that memory with bilateral stimulation. Bilateral stimulation can be eye movement, tapping, or auditory sounds.
New beliefs can be developed and introduced with learned coping skills and emotional maturity.
You can then begin to process the physical and emotional reactions to your traumas. You can reprocess the memories from a present-day perspective.
Adaptive Information Processing?
EMDR utilizes the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model. AIP is a theory about how our brains store memories.
It was developed by Francine Shapiro, PHD when she determined that our brain stores traumatic memories different than non-traumatic memories.
How come ?
During normal memory making processes, our brain stores memories smoothly and connects those memories to other non-traumatic ones. This is not the case for disturbing or upsetting memories.
It is believed our brains will go “offline” and disconnect between what we hear, see, feel and what our brains stores. It will store traumatic memories in ways which do not allow for healthy healing. Think of it as your brain did not received a message the danger is now over.
Think of “triggers”, sights, sounds, and smells are connected to memories. Those triggers are connected to improperly stored memories. Those triggers stimulate physical symptoms associated with those memories. Think PTSD!
Why choose EMDR?
EMDR is evidenced based therapy.
EMDR will help you process these memories without having to retale the story and relive it.
EMDR does not require the patient to talk in detail about a distressing experience.
It focuses on changing the behaviors, thoughts and emotions associated with a distressing trauma experience/memory.
Conditions, Expectations, Risks and Benefit
What conditions can EMDR treat?
PTSD – post-traumatic stress disorder
Anxiety and Panic disorders
Depression
OCD
Acute Stress and Adjustment Disorder.
What to expect?
EMDR consists of eight phases and each of those phases can occur over multiple sessions.
History and Treatment Planning: The therapist gathers a detailed history of the client’s life, including past trauma and current issues, to create a treatment plan.
Preparation: The therapist explains the EMDR process and establishes trust and rapport with the client.
Assessment: The therapist helps the client identify specific memories to target and works with the client to recall distressing aspects of those memories.
Desensitization: This phase is where the core of EMDR occurs. The client focuses on the distressing memory while the therapist guides them through a series of bilateral stimulation, typically involving side-to-side eye movements (though other forms of stimulation, such as tapping or auditory signals, can also be used).
Installation: The goal is to replace negative beliefs or feelings associated with the trauma with more positive, adaptive ones.
Body Scan: The therapist guides the client in scanning for any residual physical tension or discomfort that might remain in the body related to the memory.
Closure: The therapist ensures the client returns to a state of calm and emotional stability at the end of each session, often by using grounding techniques.
Reevaluation: In follow-up sessions, the therapist assesses whether the memory has been fully processed and if any new issues have emerged.
Risks and Benefits
EMDR studies have shown it to be effective and can work faster than other forms of therapy. It involves less homework such as journaling as well as less stress such as retailing the trauma.
It can only work with conditions related to traumatic experiences – meaning it cannot work on bipolar or schizophrenic patients. It is considered a theory in 2025, and experts are unable to fully explain why it works despite evidence to support it does work. It is a new method in processing traumas and was discovered in 1989.
EMDR has low risks and the most common negative effects are believed to be emotional destabilization while processing and in between sessions.
In a nutshell
EMDR is only 36 years old, but found to be effective in helping people who have experienced past traumas and have been left with lasting side effects of that trauma.
It is best known for treating PSTD, but research is showing it can be used for many other conditions that are associated with traumatic memories.
It can make a great difference for people who are struggling with painful events from their past.
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