In very simple terms, EMDR helps you let go of the past and move forward. It helps you alleviate suffering and assist you to fulfill your potential. It is one of the most evidence-based trauma therapies. It was original discovered by Francine Shapiro as an effective treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) but is now used for a very broad range of clinical issues, including but not limited to:
So how does it work, and what would a session look like? With EMDR, we reprocess traumatic and disturbing life experiences, using a standard set of procedures and protocols.
Phase 1- we take your history, assess your readiness, and develop a plan together
Phase 2- we make sure you have several ways of handling emotional distress
Phase 3- 6- we identify a target and process it, using vivid visual images, a negative belief you have about yourself, and the emotion(s) and bodily sensations that you are experiencing. We will also identify a belief you would rather have about yourself. You would be focusing on the image, thought, emotion(s), and sensations while we simultaneously engage both halves of your brain. To do this, we might use eye movements, taps on the knees, or tones using headphones. All you have to do is let me know whatever you notice, which happens spontaneously. After each set of eye movements or taps, I will instruct you to breathe, and let your mind go blank so that you can tell me the thoughts, feelings, images, memories, or sensations that come up for you. We keep doing this until that experience doesn’t feel distressing any more. When you stop feeling distress about the experience, I will ask you to think of the positive belief you would rather have about yourself. We also scan your body for any sensations you are still experiencing.
Phase 7- we do a short closure exercise together to make you ready to leave the session
Phase 8- we discuss anything that came up for you between sessions then start all over again
Just to be clear, EMDR does not erase memories. Your memories might still be very significant to you. That’s to be expected. However, it helps you process the memories so that they aren’t distressing to you and your nervous system any more.
EMDR can be intense. I have experienced it as a client. I had a lot of emotional and physical reactions during the processing phases. I leaned into it and felt so much lighter after the experience. I react to those memories so differently now. They are what they are- just memories. My perception of the memory, myself, my worth, and my abilities is now different. It has been a very freeing experience for me. However, I won’t say it was easy! For me and a lot of other clients, the process is quick and effective. For clients who have experienced complex trauma, it might take longer. Everyone’s journey will be different. This is not a traditional talk therapy, so you might be surprised at first.
Just in case you are wondering, people of all ages have been helped with EMDR, including children. We can discuss if it is a good option for you. I’d be happy to talk about it more in our first session. For now, here is a link to EMDRIA- EMDR International if you’d like to read more:
https://www.emdria.org/page/what_is_emdr_therapy
- anxiety
- depression
- single incident trauma (like a motor vehicle accident)
- complex trauma (like long-term abuse/neglect)
- addictions
- relational issues
- obsessive compulsive disorders
- self esteem issues
So how does it work, and what would a session look like? With EMDR, we reprocess traumatic and disturbing life experiences, using a standard set of procedures and protocols.
Phase 1- we take your history, assess your readiness, and develop a plan together
Phase 2- we make sure you have several ways of handling emotional distress
Phase 3- 6- we identify a target and process it, using vivid visual images, a negative belief you have about yourself, and the emotion(s) and bodily sensations that you are experiencing. We will also identify a belief you would rather have about yourself. You would be focusing on the image, thought, emotion(s), and sensations while we simultaneously engage both halves of your brain. To do this, we might use eye movements, taps on the knees, or tones using headphones. All you have to do is let me know whatever you notice, which happens spontaneously. After each set of eye movements or taps, I will instruct you to breathe, and let your mind go blank so that you can tell me the thoughts, feelings, images, memories, or sensations that come up for you. We keep doing this until that experience doesn’t feel distressing any more. When you stop feeling distress about the experience, I will ask you to think of the positive belief you would rather have about yourself. We also scan your body for any sensations you are still experiencing.
Phase 7- we do a short closure exercise together to make you ready to leave the session
Phase 8- we discuss anything that came up for you between sessions then start all over again
Just to be clear, EMDR does not erase memories. Your memories might still be very significant to you. That’s to be expected. However, it helps you process the memories so that they aren’t distressing to you and your nervous system any more.
EMDR can be intense. I have experienced it as a client. I had a lot of emotional and physical reactions during the processing phases. I leaned into it and felt so much lighter after the experience. I react to those memories so differently now. They are what they are- just memories. My perception of the memory, myself, my worth, and my abilities is now different. It has been a very freeing experience for me. However, I won’t say it was easy! For me and a lot of other clients, the process is quick and effective. For clients who have experienced complex trauma, it might take longer. Everyone’s journey will be different. This is not a traditional talk therapy, so you might be surprised at first.
Just in case you are wondering, people of all ages have been helped with EMDR, including children. We can discuss if it is a good option for you. I’d be happy to talk about it more in our first session. For now, here is a link to EMDRIA- EMDR International if you’d like to read more:
https://www.emdria.org/page/what_is_emdr_therapy
