EMDR Therapy
What is EMDR?
The brain has the innate power to heal itself. When a deeply disturbing experience occurs, however, it might hinder this self-healing capacity as a means of self-protection. These emotional wounds which are left unprocessed trigger psychological and physical symptoms that make the entire situation more difficult to manage.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy approach that uses guided eye movements to reframe traumatic events, allowing the brain to resume its natural path to healing.
How EMDR Works
Unlike some forms of psychotherapy that require detailed retelling of traumatic experiences, EMDR allows clients to move toward healing with minimal disclosure. With the use of left to right stimulation to the body and bringing the memory into focus, clients are slowly “desensitized” to the source, as the rhythmic motion makes the traumatic less vivid and less emotionally taxing. When the brain recognizes that the threat is gone, it will now work to process the information that was once bypassed, paving the way for full healing. This technique is repeated over several sessions until the client reports that the memory, as well as its symptoms, are no longer causing distress. EMDR helps your brain process memories similarly to how it naturally does during Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep.
Introduction to EMDR Therapy
Watch the video below from the EMDR International Association
What to Expect with EMDR
There are eight phases in EMDR:
- History: The therapist will gather your personal and past information. You will also discuss targets, such as any disturbing memories you wish to focus on, present triggers, and
ideal outcomes for therapy. - Preparation: You will be briefed about what will happen in-session and provided with tools that will
help you feel safe during the process. - Assessment: The therapist will begin to activate the memory, noting any changes in emotion and cognition you display. You will also be asked about the negative feelings associated
with the trauma, as well as positive beliefs you wish to achieve moving forward. - Desensitization and reprocessing: This is where you will be guided through BLS. During this period, the therapist will also drive awareness to any images, thoughts, feelings, and sensations. They will also ask you if you have new insights about the experience.
- Installation: The therapist will ask you for any positive thought or feeling you want to build while
accessing the memory. - Body scan: For this part, you will be asked to pay attention to your physical responses while accessing the memory, along with the positive thoughts. Any somatic effects ideally should decrease and/or disappear over time.
- Closure: This is the end of the current session. You will be informed about what to expect and how to keep safe in between sessions, especially if the targeted memory was not
fully processed. - Re-evaluation: This is the start of the next session. The therapist will evaluate your current state, treatment effects, and any adjustments that need to be made.
Uses of EMDR
EMDR is most commonly used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder, but it has also been applied to cases of anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and eating disorders. It works well both as one’s initial approach to therapy or as an addition to any current regimen.
Here at Anchor Counseling Services, our priority is to provide a safe, supportive harbor for residents of Spokane and nearby areas. Ready to fully own your healing journey? Call us at (509) 209-9664 or contact us here.