What is EMDR Therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a powerful and effective treatment method designed to help individuals heal from the distress associated with traumatic memories and other challenging life experiences. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR focuses on the brain’s natural healing processes, allowing you to reprocess traumatic memories in a way that reduces their emotional charge and impact on your life.

How Does EMDR Work?

EMDR therapy is structured around eight distinct phases, each designed to help you process and heal from traumatic memories or distressing experiences. While many associate EMDR primarily with the reprocessing of traumatic memories, it’s important to know that every phase—from history taking, preparation, and assessment to desensitization, installation, body scan, and closure—is integral to the therapy. Even when we are not actively reprocessing a specific memory, we are still engaging in EMDR therapy, as each phase contributes to your overall healing and progress!

More specifically, in an EMDR therapy reprocessing session (phases 3 and 4), you will be guided through a series of bilateral eye movements, taps, or sounds while recalling a distressing memory. This process helps the brain reprocess the memory in a way that is less emotionally disturbing, allowing the memory to be integrated into your overall life narrative without overwhelming you. The goal is to shift the memory from a highly charged, distressing experience to a more neutral or resolved state.

Who Can Benefit from EMDR?

EMDR therapy is particularly effective for individuals who have experienced trauma, whether from a single event or ongoing, complex experiences. It can also be beneficial for those struggling with anxiety, depression, phobias, grief, and other emotional challenges. EMDR is recognized as an evidence-based treatment by organizations such as the American Psychological Association (APA) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

What to Expect in an EMDR Session

Each EMDR therapy session is conducted at your own pace, ensuring that you feel safe and supported throughout the process. Your therapist will work with you to identify specific memories or issues to target and guide you through the reprocessing phases. The number of sessions required varies depending on your individual needs and goals.

Resources and References:

Maxfield, L. (2019). A clinician’s guide to the efficacy of EMDR therapy. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research [Editorial], 13(4), 239-246. Open access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/1933-3196.13.4.239

 

Van der Kolk, B.A., Spinazzola, J., Blaustein, M.E., Hopper, J.W., Hopper, E.K., Korn, D. L., & Simpson, W.B. (2007). A randomized clinical trial of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), fluoxetine, and pill placebo in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: treatment effects and long-term maintenance. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 68(1), 37-46.

 

Shapiro F. The role of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in medicine: addressing the psychological and physical symptoms stemming from adverse life experiences. Perm J. 2014 Winter;18(1):71-7. doi: 10.7812/TPP/13-098. PMID: 24626074; PMCID: PMC3951033. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3951033/