What is EMDR?
EMDR is a specialized therapy that is designed to reduce the images and emotions associated with traumatic experiences. ​
During the processing phase of EMDR, a client briefly focuses on a memory while experiencing bilateral stimulation (eye movements, hand tapping, holding tappers, listening to sounds).
EMDR is an evidence and research based therapy which has been proven to help people recover from trauma and PTSD symptoms. Current research also shows positive results with reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and addictions.
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EMDR therapy does not require sharing details about events or memories.
For many clients, EMDR therapy can be completed in fewer sessions than other
forms of therapy.
How Does EMDR Work?
Difficult memories, overwhelming emotions, and negative beliefs can feel stuck in our brains making us feel powerless in creating change. If these are triggered, our brain and nervous system turns on our fight, flight or freeze response to protect ourself because it thinks we are in danger again.
EMDR therapy helps the brain process these memories so healing to occur. .The fight, flight, or freeze response is separated from the original memory and finally feels like it is in the past.
Although the exact mechanisms are not fully understood, there are a couple of main theories of how EMDR therapy works in the brain:
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Bilateral stimulation provides left and right brain activity which helps a memory become unstuck and allow new neural networks to form.
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When our working memory is challenged it is easier to have a memory stored in the part of our brain that knows it happened in the past.
​When our memories are no longer keeping us in the past, our brains then can create new ways of thinking, feeling, and relating to others
What is Ideal About EMDR?
EMDR is ideal for those who do not wish to discuss the source of their trauma.
There is no need to share the cause of one’s trauma in EMDR, making it an ideal option for those protecting classified information (for example, military personnel) or those who simply do not want to repeat their story.
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How is EMDR therapy different from other therapies?
EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue or
completing homework between sessions. EMDR therapy, rather than focusing on changing the emotions, thoughts, or behaviors resulting from the distressing issue, allows the brain to resume its natural healing process.
EMDR therapy is designed to resolve unprocessed traumatic memories in the brain. For
many clients, EMDR therapy can be completed in fewer sessions than other
psychotherapies.
It’s weird, but it works. Here’s how:
EMDR works by having an individual focus on the upsetting situation with the clinician simultaneously using back-and-forth (bilateral) motion, typically with the eyes, for the individual to follow. Eye movements have been shown to reduce the vividness, arousal and emotional intensity of traumatic events (Barrowcliff, et al., 2004). Each EMDR clinician is trained extensively in the 8-phase EMDR protocol to be able to safely and effectively deliver bilateral stimulation.
Some EMDR Clinicians use these analogies to explain the therapy to their clients:
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EMDR is a highly researched, peer-reviewed treatment modality, with even more research arising every year. EMDR has been proven to be effective in helping those heal from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depressive disorders, dissociative disorders, Personality Disorders and trauma disorders. The World Health Organization (WHO), American Psychological Association, Veteran Affairs Canada, US Department of Veterans Affairs, and International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies among other reputable international and national organizations recognize that EMDR therapy is an effective treatment.
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EMDR is ideal for those who do not wish to discuss the source of their trauma.
There is no need to share the cause of one’s trauma in EMDR, making it an ideal option for those protecting classified information (for example, military personnel) or those who simply do not want to repeat their story.
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EMDR works for those with co-existing mental health conditions.
Although it is primarily a treatment for PTSD, anxiety symptoms can also be lessened through EMDR. In addition, people with chronic illness, bipolar disorder, disassociative disorder, eating disorders, grief and loss, and many other disorders have also been successfully treated with EMDR.
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