Healing with EMDR Therapy

EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Ok, that probably didn’t help you much…

EMDR is actually one of the most research validated methods for therapists treating trauma. Think of our brain as a information recorder that doesn’t miss a thing.  When there is an upsetting life event, the recording can become blocked, preventing the brain from integrating the experience in a healthy way.   As a result, the feelings and sensations we experienced at the time of the traumatic event are essentially “stuck” in our nervous system. If we are reminded in some small way of this trauma (it could be something as simple as a tone of voice or a smell), we feel as if we are reliving the original event, experiencing the same intensity of feelings and sensations as we felt the first time.

EMDR helps to reorganize the way the information about the experience is being stored and move the challenging event through your nervous system so that you can heal from traumatic experiences. When the information has been processed and stored in long-term memory and you are reminded of the original incident, you feel appropriate emotions of sadness or anger instead of reliving the event.

Here’s an example…

“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.  Once the block is removed, healing resumes.  EMDR therapy does the same thing in your brain.  Our minds want move towards emotional health, but if our processing is blocked or imbalanced by the impact of a disturbing event, the emotional wound will fester and can cause intense suffering.  Once the block is removed, healing resumes.”

What does EMDR involve?

EMDR is is an 8 step technique that includes assessment, positive coping strategies, dialogue, bi-lateral stimulation, and reflection.  The goal is to help you feel a sense of resolution in your heart and mind, releasing feelings of anxiety or judgment and gaining new understanding of the trauma.

EMDR can evoke strong emotions and body sensations during a session. This is normal and to be expected, since the method works to process out those stored negative feelings and body sensations. Usually this discomfort is brief and will fade as our mind and body are able to begin moving towards healing.

Many people have dramatic responses to EMDR and experience relief in a very short time compared to traditional talk therapies. Individuals with multiple traumatic experiences accompanied by abuse in childhood usually require a more complex approach including parts work and brainspotting- a technique that uses bi-lateral stimulation for processing in a more gentle manner. More time will be spent in the preparation phase, strengthening positive self image and improving access to positive feelings adding to overall treatment time.

Comprehensive information about EMDR and research supporting it, can be found at emdr.com and emdria.org

What can EMDR help with?

While it is most often used to treat Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), it has also been used successfully for challenges such as:

• Addictions
• Disturbing memories
• Phobias
• Depression
• Anger Management
• Other forms of loss and crisis
• Impulse control disorders