EMDR therapy works with the brain’s natural information processing system to help resolve trauma. This process involves unfreezing traumatic memories, which may include images, sounds or sensations.
It also may involve following a healthcare provider’s fingers moving back and forth or staring at bursts of light on alternating sides of a screen. This bilateral stimulation is thought to mimic what happens during REM sleep.
What Is EMDR?
EMDR therapy is a powerful, structured psychotherapy that can speed up the healing process from psychological trauma. Unlike many "talk" therapies, it doesn't require that you discuss the trauma in detail, and you don't have to analyze it for long periods of time.
During the initial phase, your therapist will take your history and develop a treatment plan. She or he will identify the areas of your life where you're struggling, and help you decide which targets to focus on in EMDR processing.
During this process, you'll recall the target image while your therapist leads you through a series of eye movements (or other forms of rhythmic, left-right stimulation). This splits your attention between the internal image and the external stimuli, allowing you to safely process the trauma.
Phase 1: Assessment
The first session of EMDR involves the therapist getting a complete history of the client, including any upsetting memories or events. The therapist also asks about any current stressors or feelings of emotional distress the client experiences.
The therapist will then explain the theory behind EMDR and help you set goals for your treatment. They will also teach you relaxation techniques and visualization exercises to use between sessions to maintain stability and manage your emotions.
Next, you'll be asked to focus on a trauma memory while the therapist performs eye movements or uses other stimuli (e.g., rhythmic tapping on both hands or alternating sounds). The therapist will ask you to note the thoughts and sensations that come up during the recall, which helps them track your progress as you go through sessions.
Phase 2: Desensitization
During this phase, your healthcare provider gathers information about the upsetting events and memories that you want to focus on in EMDR. They’ll also help you identify positive beliefs that you want to replace negative ones related to the trauma.
EMDR is an evidence-based treatment that is widely used for trauma. It incorporates elements of exposure therapy and has been shown to be effective in reducing the intensity of traumatic memories, emotions and symptoms.
During the desensitization phase, you recall the target image while your healthcare provider moves their finger back and forth across your face or a specialized light device is used. You will notice your distress level decrease until the distress is minimal and you are able to think about the target image without feeling disturbing emotions, thoughts or body sensations.
Phase 3: Reprocessing
The purpose of reprocessing is to make your traumatic memories more manageable. This is achieved by accessing these memories with the help of eye movements and guided instructions, which are designed to change how your brain processes a memory.
During this phase, your therapist may ask you to recall a distressing memory while following their finger with your eyes from side to side. They might also use rhythmic tapping on both hands or audio tones that move back and forth from left to right in order to stimulate both sides of the brain at once.
Your therapist will also ask you to record any negative emotions that arise during the reprocessing session, so they can track your progress between sessions. At the end of this phase, you should be able to think about your target without experiencing any strong negative emotional reactions.
Phase 4: Relaxation
This final phase is designed to reinforce the positive beliefs you identified in phase three. This also helps break any negative associations you may have with traumatic memories.
Your therapist will again use bilateral stimulation, this time focusing on your body from head to toe. They will ask you to focus on the original target memory and scan for any lingering physical sensations.
Many experts believe EMDR changes how the brain processes traumatic memories, allowing you to feel more empowered and confident after an unpleasant event. Others think the back-and-forth eye movements replicate the way your brain consolidates memories during REM sleep. EMDR therapy can help address a variety of mental health problems, including PTSD, dissociative disorders and eating disorders. Get matched with a certified EMDR therapist near you today.
