Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a widely researched and highly effective psychotherapy model shown to help individuals heal from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), trauma, depression, anxiety, and panic disorders. The Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs believe EMDR is the gold standard of treatment in helping veterans who experience PTSD.

EMDR helps our bodies and brain move towards a place of transformational healing by working with the neurophysiology of memories. Through treatment, one can resolve painful symptoms that have left a strong negative impact as a result of disturbing life experiences. 

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing


Adaptive Information Processing

EMDR is a trauma-focused modality that allows the brain to resume its natural healing process. It relies heavily on the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, a theory about how the brain stores and codes memories.

AIP and EMDR were both developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro. The underpinnings of both models support the idea that your brain stores traumatic and normal memories in a different manner. For example, during normal experiences, your brain stores memories in a healthy way; it networks them and they connect with other events that you may recall. During distressing experiences, networking and association doesn’t occur in a smooth and adaptive manner. The brain creates a disconnect between what you experience and what your brain stores in memory through language. This creates a barrier for healthy healing.

Unprocessed trauma can reside in the body and dysregulate the nervous system, creating a host of painful symptoms- both somatic and psychological. If healing hasn’t happened, the brain and body will believe you’re still in danger. As a result, newer experiences may resemble earlier trauma and reinforce a negative experience, disrupting the connection between your memories and senses.


About Bilateral Stimulation (BLS)

During an EMDR session, an individual focuses on a disturbing memory while identifying a negative belief they hold about themselves. They also identify a positive belief- something they would rather believe to be true. All of the emotions and sensations associated with the memory are also acknowledged.

The person then holds the memory in mind while focusing on an external stimulus that creates a rapid and bilateral eye movement. This is typically done by watching the therapist move two fingers. Tapping, sounds, or buzzers may also be used in conjunction with or in lieu of eye movements. In between sets of movement, sounds, or bilateral stimulation, the therapist may redirect or shift an individual’s focus.The bilateral stimulation movement process will continue until the distressing memory is no longer causing disturbance. An EMDR session is not considered successful until a person can bring up the original “target” or memory without feeling any tension in the body.


About EMDR

An individual has complete control to stop the therapist at any point during an EMDR session. One may notice positive changes in insight or shifts in images, emotions, or beliefs associated with a memory throughout the process.

During treatment, an EMDR therapist may bring attention to the past memories that are continuing to contribute to the problem, as well as present situations that are distressing. The client and the therapist work collaboratively, highlighting which skills the client may need in order to work towards future health and wellness.

The process of EMDR allows an individual to reprocess disturbing memories in a way that is positive and efficient. EMDR targets distressing memories, but will not retraumatize a person.

EMDR psychotherapy has been endorsed by many internationally known organizations, including the American Psychiatric Association, the United Kingdom Department of Health, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, and the Israeli National Council for Mental Health.

Over 30 studies have documented the effectiveness of EMDR psychotherapy over the past three decades for issues such as combat trauma, sexual abuse, PTSD, childhood neglect or trauma, life-threatening accidents, and mood disorders such as anxiety and depression.


EMDR psychotherapy can address a wide range of challenges including, but not limited to:

  • Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias

  • Adjustment disorder

  • Attachment and relational injuries

  • Chronic pain or illness

  • Depression and mood disorders

  • Emotional pain

  • Feelings of powerlessness

  • Grief and loss

  • Low self-esteem

  • PTSD and trauma

  • Stress

  • Sexual assault

  • Sleep disturbance


Resources

F. Shapiro & M.S. Forrest (2004) EMDR: The Breakthrough Therapy for Anxiety, Stress and Trauma. New York: BasicBooks. http://www.perseusbooksgroup.com/perseus-cgi-bin/display/0-465-04301-1

https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/

https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/experiencing-emdr-therapy/