EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, a therapeutic technique that engages thoughts, emotions, and somatic (bodily) sensations associated with traumatic memories. The premise behind EMDR lies in the notion that during traumatic events, the brain's processing mechanisms may falter, leading to the encapsulation of distressing experiences without proper integration into one's life narrative.

In moments of trauma, our brain's instinctual reactions like “fight, flight, or freeze” can disrupt how we make sense of what's happening. This can leave us stuck with strong emotions and physical sensations, even after the event is over. This lingering impact can manifest in feelings of powerlessness, shame, fear, and other distressing emotions, hindering one's ability to lead a fulfilling life.

More information about EMDR can also be found here on YouTube at What Is EMDR-Therapy?.

EMDR is a structured mental health treatment that supports a client in briefly focusing on a traumatic memory in order to create desensitization with the pain of that memory. While a client briefly processes a traumatic memory, the therapist will simultaneously guide a client in experiencing bilateral stimulation (at Mind Moving Therapy, this comes in the form or horizontal eye movements). These bilateral stimulations are associated with desensitization outcomes, such as a reduction in the intensity of emotions related to the traumatic memories. EMDR therapy is an extensively researched, effective mental health treatment modality that has been proven to help individuals reduce negative symptoms from traumatic experiences, PTSD, anxiety, depression, OCD, chronic pain, and social anxiety.

The American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, National Alliance on Mental Illness, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the U.K. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs/Dept. of Defense, The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and the World Health Organization are among a few of the credited organizations that mark EMDR therapy as an effective treatment.

EMDR therapy appeals to individuals for various reasons. Some are drawn to its reputation for efficacy and choose it as their primary therapeutic method from the outset. Others, however, turn to EMDR as a solution when conventional talk therapy leaves them feeling stagnant, trapped in the cyclical patterns of distressing memories and emotions.

EMDR therapy facilitates the reprocessing of traumatic memories through bilateral stimulation, enabling individuals to simultaneously engage with the present moment while revisiting past traumas. This dual focus allows the brain to fully process and integrate the traumatic memory, thereby alleviating its adverse effects.

Bilateral stimulation techniques, such as eye movements, tactile pulsers, or auditory cues, mimic the rapid eye movement (REM) sleep phase, a natural process through which the brain consolidates information. By engaging both hemispheres of the brain, EMDR therapy facilitates communication between key regions involved in memory processing, such as the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex.

Through this process, the emotional "charge" associated with the traumatic memory gradually diminishes, paving the way for emotional healing and resilience. It's important to note that EMDR does not erase memories but rather facilitates their adaptive integration, empowering individuals to move forward without being shackled by past traumas.

EMDR therapy follows eight key phases that guide the treatment process. These phases help therapists and clients navigate through the therapy effectively.

The first phase involves discussing the client's reasons for seeking therapy and developing a treatment plan.

Phase two focuses on preparing the client for the therapy process and addressing any concerns or questions they may have.

Assessment, the third phase, involves identifying the target event for reprocessing and establishing baseline measures. The next three phases, known as the reprocessing phases, involve using dual attention bilateral stimulation to process the traumatic event.

Desensitization, the fourth phase, aims to reduce the disturbance associated with the target event. Installation, phase five, strengthens positive beliefs associated with the event. Phase six, the body scan, addresses any lingering physical disturbances.

Closure, phase seven, helps the client return to a state of calm at the end of each session. Reevaluation, phase eight, ensures that progress is maintained and guides future treatment directions.

Overall, these phases serve as a roadmap for EMDR therapy, facilitating the healing process for clients by reprocessing difficult experiences.

For more information, we recommend this blog post as a starting point.

While EMDR therapy is renowned for its effectiveness in treating traumatic events, its scope extends beyond trauma resolution. EMDR can be applied to a myriad of issues, including: Single incident traumas, PTSD, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, addiction, domestic violence, performance enhancement, feeling stuck in life, childhood trauma, grief and loss, social anxiety, and phobias.

For services with Mind Moving Therapy, Schedule a brief consultation with one of our trained EMDR therapists to explore your options further. Our team stands ready to address any questions or concerns as you, your family, and your loved ones move through this space towards a healthy, happy, fulfilling life. However, we understand that it can be daunting to approach a new therapist or treatment plan, so if you prefer to research on your own, we have provided the following links which contain additional information and structure for your understanding, should you find them beneficial.

EMDR Research Institute

EMDR International Association

PTSD Guidelines: Intro to EMDR

Office for Victims of Crime: Justice-based Site

Cleveland Clinic: EMDR Process

WebMD