An interactive psychotherapy technique, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing or EMDR, helps relieve psychological stress following traumatic experiences. The treatment is very effective for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and for treating trauma. A typical EMDR session involves the therapist assisting the client to relive the triggering or the traumatic experience and simultaneously, the therapist will be directing the client’s eye movements and breathing to allow for adaptive reprocessing.
Often when trauma gets experienced, it gets stuck in the amygdala (the part of brain that senses danger). Then individuals continue to have memories, flashbacks and nightmares due to the trauma being unprocessed and essentially “stuck”. EMDR is effective due to assisting clients to recall the unpleasant events, while at the same time using lateral movements of the eyes or body to allow memories to travel to the hippocampus (the part of the brain that discriminates between real and false alarms). EMDR allows memories to travel from being stuck to being seen as false alarms. The client is then exposed to more adaptive thoughts and memories to reduce the negative psychological reactions and flashbacks of the trauma.
Perks of EMDR therapy
Individuals who are undergoing the experience of dealing with distressing memories largely benefit from EMDR therapy. Some of the disorders that EMDR therapy treats are:
- Panic attacks
- Depression
- Addictions
- Anxiety
- Eating disorders
Steps of EMDR therapy
There are eight different stages to Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy. The entire treatment includes twelve psychotherapy sessions.
- History following treatment planning– After reviewing the client’s history, the therapist will decide where the client stands in the treatment procedure. The evaluation phase incorporates discussing the trauma and recognizing potential distressing memories to target for treatment.
- Preparation– Clients will learn numerous ways of coping with psychological stress with mindfulness and deep breathing techniques.
- Assessment – The therapist will start by recognizing particular memories that will be targeted and the physical sensations associated to the events.
- Treatment– The therapist will starts to use EMDR therapy techniques (body and eye movements) for treating targeted negative memories or thoughts. Additionally, the client will be asked to use deep breathing and mindfulness to regulate their nervous system.
- Evaluation – As the client and the therapist near the final stage of therapy; the client will be asked to assess their progress following the sessions.
Things To Learn Prior to Taking EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing helps clients build an awareness of their body in experiencing trauma, and heavily focuses on reprocessing their trauma. Often, clients can experience realistic or vivid dreams between sessions. Treating PTSD with this technique will require several sessions. Hence, therapists always recommend patients to not expect results overnight, as this can lead to disappointment. Typically therapists will recommend 12 sessions to adequately treat the trauma.
Wrapping Up
There is evidence that Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing treatment can be effective in treating PTSD and trauma. The technique can also treat numerous other mental health conditions such as: depression treatment and anxiety disorders. However, therapy is something that is aimed to promote wellness and it is important to connect with a licensed therapist. Most importantly to ensure that your therapist’s area of expertise is aligned with your current needs and situation.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a specialized type of therapy that is designed to help individuals overcome the emotional distress caused by traumatic experiences. This technique utilizes a series of eye movements to help process and reframe negative memories and emotions in a more positive way.
Research has shown that EMDR can be highly effective in treating a variety of mental health issues related to trauma, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Unlike traditional therapy methods, EMDR does not require individuals to talk extensively about their traumatic experiences, which can make it a more comfortable and less intimidating option for some people.
If you’re interested in learning more about trauma therapy techniques like EMDR, consider reaching out to a licensed therapist who specializes in trauma therapy. They can provide you with the guidance and support you need to begin healing from the effects of trauma and start living a happier, healthier life.