Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)
What is EMDR?
EMDR is a form of therapy that helps people heal from trauma or other distressing life experiences. EMDR therapy has been extensively researched and has demonstrated effectiveness for trauma. (from EMDRIA)
About EMDR Therapy
Our brains have a natural way to recover from traumatic memories and events. This process involves communication between the amygdala (the alarm signal for stressful events), the hippocampus (which assists with learning, including memories about safety and danger), and the prefrontal cortex (which analyzes and controls behavior and emotion). While many times traumatic experiences can be managed and resolved spontaneously, they may not be processed without help. Stress responses are part of our natural fight, flight, or freeze instincts. When distress from a disturbing event remains, the upsetting images, thoughts, and emotions may create feelings of overwhelm, of being back in that moment, or of being “frozen in time.” EMDR therapy helps the brain process these memories, and allows normal healing to resume. The experience is still remembered, but the fight, flight, or freeze response from the original event is resolved.”
How is EMDR different from other therapies?
EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue, or homework between sessions. EMDR, 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. Part of the therapy includes alternating eye movements, sounds, or taps. For many clients, EMDR therapy can be completed in fewer sessions than other psychotherapies.
What to expect?
- EMDR has 8 phases and the first phases are information gathering, planning and developing coping resources with clients. These phases may take anywhere from 1-2 session to multiple sessions.
- When the client and therapist agree that it is time to move into processing, the counselor will utilize bilateral stimulation (BLS) to aid in processing. This may be watching the therapist’s hand and tracking with eyes, or may use vibrating buzzers in each hand or tapping on knees. The important thing is that both sides of the brain are engaged. During processing the therapist will sit facing the client but off to the client’s left side. This makes it more conducive for eye movements.
- The therapist will use BLS for short periods of time (less than 1 minute) then check in with the client to ask what they are noticing in the body or are thinking. This will continue until the end of session or until the therapist has determined the network has been processed.
- Therapists are trained to look for several different things in determining this. Depending on the intensity of the processing the therapist may use one of the resourcing techniques from the early phases. The therapist will also ask about physical sensations in addition to emotions.
- Clients are always able to stop processing at any time. Clients are fully in control of themselves during the process.
Watch a video about EMDR
What to Expect
Learn more about what to expect before, during and after your session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about our practice? Check out our FAQs.