When you’re dealing with any type of mental health challenge, opening up to the idea of therapy can be a big step. Starting the process of finding the right therapist and the wide range of approaches can be daunting.
The thought of traditional talk therapy, however, may cause you some hesitation. Opening up about your experiences requires a certain comfort level. It isn’t for everyone, at least not in its basic form.
Thankfully, you have options. Over recent decades, the therapy realm has undergone advancements in care, especially for those suffering from traumatic experiences. During this time, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, or EMDR, has emerged as an effective approach.
What is EMDR?
EMDR is a form of psychotherapy originally developed in the 1980s by Dr. Francine Shapiro. It was originally intended for PTSD and trauma-related conditions. It has, however, proven to have much wider applications.
This approach revolves around the idea that traumatic or negatively charged memories become stuck in the brain and don’t get effectively processed. Stuck memories can go on to cause emotional distress and other symptoms.
Unlike traditional talk therapy methods, EMDR utilizes bilateral stimulation to mimic the brain’s natural process for rest and recovery. The end goal is to transform negative memories into something positive and increase resiliency in the process.
How Does EMDR Work?
EMDR follows a structured process with eight phases.
Phase 1: History Taking
In this phase, you’ll spend time with your therapist getting to know each other and building rapport. You’ll go over any relevant medical history and distressing situations. This will allow you to pinpoint where your therapy sessions will start.
Phase 2: Preparation
During phase 2, you’ll be educated on the EMDR process ahead and what you should expect.
Phase 3: Assessment
This phase involves assessing what feelings and emotions surround the target memory selected. This baseline will be used during the remainder of the process.
Phase 4: Desensitization
In phase 4, you begin eye movement and bilateral stimulation. While focusing on your target memory, your therapist will use this stimulation and side-to-side eye movement to simulate your REM sleep state.
Phase 5: Installation
At this time, you will start to process the negative memory, becoming desensitized to it. With your therapist, you will begin replacing negative associations with positive beliefs.
Phase 6: Body Scan
You will be asked to complete a body scan from head to toe and report any negative sensations you may be holding on to. If anything is lingering, you’ll continue with the bilateral stimulation until they’re worked out.
Phase 7: Closure
At this point, you’ll be guided to a state of calm, returning to the present moment before closing the session. Your therapist will complete any final checks to make sure you’re in a good place to leave your session.
Phase 8: Re-evaluation
This last phase will take place at the beginning of your next session. EMDR can pull emotions that have been deeply suppressed, so it’s important to do a check-in during your follow-up to see if anything needs to be revisited.
What Can EMDR Help With?
EMDR has roots with PTSD, but over the years, it has been deemed effective with other conditions. This includes:
Anxiety
Chronic pain
Depression
Grief
Panic disorders
Phobias
Substance abuse
Starting Your Journey
EMDR is a highly effective therapy approach, giving a different spin on traditional therapy methods. You’re not solely talking about your feelings, but you’re focusing on your experience and bodily sensations. It’s also worth noting that it often works in fewer sessions, comparatively.
If you feel that EMDR can benefit you, let’s get you started on your path to healing. Trauma doesn’t need to define you any longer. Use our contact information to get started. Click on the link to read more about EMDR Treatment.