EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy

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EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a well-established psychotherapy technique used for treating various mental health issues, including PTSD, anxiety disorders, phobias, and depression. By reprocessing traumatic memories through bilateral stimulation, EMDR aims to alleviate distress, reduce symptoms, and promote psychological healing. This approach offers several advantages, including proven effectiveness, time efficiency, integration of emotional and cognitive aspects, and a non-intrusive nature.

EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy

A number of our clients are curious about EMDR, wondering if this is an approach to therapy that would be helpful for them. Many of the therapists at Aspen are trained in EMDR, so we wanted to share some information to help clients come to know and understand the process of EMDR so they can make a more informed decision.

When exploring various therapy alternatives, it's critical to conduct thorough research to identify the most suitable treatment options for your unique needs. All of our therapists at Aspen Psychology Group serve as valuable resources, offering guidance on the type of therapeutic methodology best suited to address the symptoms or mental health issues you're confronting.

EMDR, with its distinct approach, stands out among the variety of therapy options available.

Interested in learning more about EMDR and how it could benefit you?

We have a FREE consultation, and would love to connect with you. Click the contact button to send us an email or the book online button to access our booking calendar.

What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR is an evidence-based psychotherapy technique developed in the late 1980s by psychologist Francine Shapiro. It has gained recognition as an effective and efficient treatment for various mental health issues, including:

• post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• anxiety & stress
• panic attacks
• complicated grief
• and abuse.

EMDR is based on the concept that traumatic experiences can cause imbalances in the brain, leading to emotional and psychological distress. This therapy aims to reprocess traumatic memories and alleviate associated negative emotions and symptoms.

How Does EMDR Work and What it the Process?

Typically, EMDR therapy requires approximately 6 to 12 sessions for effective alleviation of a client's symptoms, though noticeable improvements often start to appear within the initial sessions.

Your therapist, taking into account your personal needs, will establish the most suitable treatment plan for you.

The process of EMDR involves several distinct phases. Here is a breakdown of the process.

Desensitization and Relaxation Techniques

Initially, the therapist assesses the client's history and identifies specific traumatic memories or distressing events to target during the treatment. The therapist then helps the client develop coping mechanisms and relaxation techniques to manage distress. The core of EMDR involves bilateral stimulation, which can be achieved through eye movements, taps, or sounds.

The Reprocessing Phase

During the reprocessing phase of EMDR therapy, the client focuses on the traumatic memory while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation. This process aims to facilitate the integration of the traumatic memory into the individual's overall life experiences, allowing them to form new, healthier associations, beliefs and feelings.

Gradually, the distress associated with the traumatic memory diminishes, leading to symptom reduction and improved well-being.

What are the Benefits to EMDR Therapy?

EMDR offers several benefits as a therapeutic approach. Firstly, it has been extensively researched and has demonstrated effectiveness in treating PTSD, acute stress disorder, anxiety disorders, phobias, depression, traumatic memories, and other psychological conditions.

The therapy can lead to significant symptom reduction and even full resolution of the targeted issues.

EMDR also tends to be more time-efficient compared to some other therapies, often requiring fewer sessions to achieve positive outcomes.

Another advantage of EMDR is that it addresses both the emotional and cognitive aspects of trauma. By reprocessing the traumatic memories, individuals can experience a reduction in the intensity of negative emotions and distress associated with the event.

EMDR helps individuals develop more adaptive and positive beliefs about themselves, others, and the world, fostering psychological growth and resilience.

Furthermore, EMDR can be a gentle and non-intrusive therapy. Unlike traditional talk therapies that rely heavily on revisiting and discussing traumatic events in detail, EMDR focuses on reprocessing memories without extensive narration. This can be especially beneficial for clients who find it challenging to verbalize their trauma or prefer a more experiential approach to therapy.

EMDR and EMDR Therapy FAQ

What is Eye Movement desensitization used for?

EMDR is a psychotherapeutic technique developed by Francine Shapiro and it is employed to relieve various conditions. Its fundamental purpose is to assist individuals who have experienced trauma and are grappling with its unhealthy manifestations.

An EMDR therapy session will prove especially beneficial for individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, a condition that frequently develops in those who have undergone traumatic events and continue to harbor traumatic memories known as trauma memory.

This includes, for example, individuals who have been victims of assault or have served in active military roles. These experiences create trauma memories, and EMDR therapy sessions are designed to help people recover. An Emdr Therapist will use the techniques mentioned here to assist in the treatment of PTSD.

EMDR therapy can also greatly benefit those struggling with anxiety disorders that impact their mental health, as many symptoms targeted by this treatment are associated with anxiety.

How Effective is EMDR Therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has been found to be highly effective for many individuals, particularly those dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is recognized as an effective treatment for trauma by organizations like the American Psychiatric Association, the World Health Organization, and the Department of Defense.

Multiple studies have demonstrated EMDR's efficacy. A significant number of individuals who undergo EMDR treatment for PTSD show reduction in their symptoms, and many others have found relief for other trauma-related conditions.

That said, it's important to note that, like all therapies, EMDR may not work for everyone. Its effectiveness can depend on the specific needs and conditions of the individual, the nature and severity of the trauma, and the skill and experience of the therapist.

What Disorders Can EMDR Help With?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy was initially developed to treat individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, over the years, its application has been extended to treat a variety of other psychological disorders. These treatments help with psychological and physical symptoms stemming from traumatic memories, mental health conditions, emotional distress, disturbing memories, or general trauma.

A trained EMDR therapist, like our therapists at Aspen, will be able to work with you on applying these principles.

Some of these include:

1. Anxiety Disorders: EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can be used to treat generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder.
2. Depression: Some individuals with depression, particularly those whose symptoms are related to past traumatic events, may find EMDR helpful.
3. Phobias: EMDR can be beneficial for individuals who have specific phobias that may be linked to a traumatic event.
4. Grief and Loss: EMDR can also be helpful in processing the trauma associated with grief and loss.
5. Chronic Pain and Somatic Disorders: Some evidence suggests EMDR might be helpful in dealing with the emotional components of chronic pain or somatic symptom disorders.

It's important to note that while EMDR can be a powerful tool, its effectiveness can vary from person to person, and it may not be the right treatment approach for everyone or for all mental health challenges.

For many of these disorders, EMDR is typically used in conjunction with other treatment methods. A trained mental health professional that provides mental health services will be able to determine the most appropriate treatment approach based on an individual's specific needs and circumstances.

What is the Adaptive Information Processing Model?

The Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model is the theoretical framework behind EMDR therapy. It explains how traumatic experiences can disrupt the brain's natural information processing. EMDR utilizes bilateral stimulation to help reprocess traumatic memories and promote adaptive resolution. By repeatedly engaging in this process, EMDR helps integrate the traumatic memory and reduce distress, leading to more adaptive functioning.

The Adaptive Information Processing model provides the theoretical foundation for understanding how trauma affects memory processing, and EMDR therapy applies this model to facilitate the adaptive resolution of traumatic memories and the alleviation of associated symptoms.

What are the Steps or Phases of EMDR?

EMDR Therapy Steps and Phases

The process of EMDR Therapy unfolds through eight distinctive phases that address post-traumatic stress disorder and other conditions, some of which can be completed in one session. Some phases involve direct collaboration with your therapist, while others are overseen by the therapist.

Each phase is pivotal to achieving optimal results. Your therapist should ensure that you have made substantial progress in a phase before transitioning you to the next.

History-taking and Treatment Planning

The initial phase involves gathering your history and crafting a treatment plan. This is the stage where you share your symptoms, trauma memory and disorders with your therapist, enabling them to tailor an effective treatment strategy for you. This gives your therapist a comprehensive understanding of your situation and needs, ensuring that you receive the most appropriate treatment!

During this phase, your therapist will also conduct an assessment and identify treatment targets. These targets might encompass current triggers, past experiences, and future aspirations.

Preparation

The subsequent phase is the preparation stage. It's critical not to overlook this phase as the data gathered during the treatment planning stage greatly influences the preparation. In this phase, the therapist prepares the client for the forthcoming therapeutic or trauma treatment journey.

The therapist will outline the therapy process, detailing the eye movement exercises that are integral to the treatment. They will start guiding the client through some preliminary exercises, essentially offering a practice run.

Assessment

The third phase is the assessment stage, which aims to activate the targeted memory in a particular session. To achieve this, the therapist identifies and assesses each memory component–cognition, imagery, and body sensation.

The therapist employs two distinct measures during sessions to gauge changes in emotion or cognition. These are the Validity of Cognition (VOC) scale and the Subjective Units of Disturbance (SUD) scale, which the client reports on and are used in conjunction with standardized procedures throughout the treatment.

Desensitization

Desensitization, the next stage, centers around a client's memories while simultaneously incorporating the eye movements intrinsic to EMDR. The therapist guides the client to reflect on the targeted memory while simultaneously performing the eye movements.

The cleint will then share any new thoughts that have arisen. Using standardized procedures, the therapist identifies the focus of each session, and the correlated material usually becomes the focal point of the following session. This cycle repeats until the targeted memory no longer induces distress in the client.

Installation

The fifth phase, known as installation, reinforces the preferred positive cognition in the client.

Body Scan

The body scan, the sixth phase in this therapeutic method, involves the therapist asking the client to note their automatic physical responses when recalling the targeted memory or event.

Clients are also asked to recognize and observe the positive cognition and any residual somatic distress. If the patient reports any associated distress, the therapist will assist them in evaluating it using standardized procedures and bilateral movements.

Closure

Closure, one of the final phases of EMDR, serves as the conclusion to a session. If a session fails to fully address a targeted memory, the therapist will equip the client with specific techniques and instructions to manage symptoms until the next session. These strategies ensure client safety and help to contain the symptoms associated with memory.

Re-Evaluation

Concluding but equally important is the re-evaluation phase! This marks the final stage in the EMDR Therapy process. In this stage, the therapist assesses the client's current psychological well-being and determines whether the treatment's benefits have persisted.

Furthermore, the therapist will explore any additional memories that might have surfaced since the last meeting. The re-evaluation phase also encompasses preparations for the upcoming session, allowing the therapist and the client to identify new therapeutic targets to focus on in the present and future sessions.

What is the Journal of EMDR Practice?

 The Journal of EMDR Practice and Research (JEPR) is a peer-reviewed publication dedicated to advancing the understanding and application of EMDR therapy. It serves as a platform for researchers, clinicians, and practitioners to share their insights, research findings, case studies, and clinical experiences related to EMDR therapy. The journal of EMDR practice covers a wide range of topics including EMDR methodology, clinical applications, treatment outcomes, theoretical advancements, and innovative approaches within the field. By providing a forum for the exchange of knowledge and ideas, the Journal of EMDR Practice and Research plays a vital role in promoting the growth and development of EMDR therapy as an effective therapeutic modality.

The Journal of EMDR practice serves as an important resource for professionals and researchers seeking to deepen their understanding and proficiency in EMDR therapy.