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EMDR Therapy: Understanding Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
What Is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. EMDR is a structured psychotherapy approach that is most commonly used to treat trauma and trauma-related conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Over time, EMDR has also been shown to be effective for anxiety, depression, phobias, and other emotional difficulties.
EMDR was developed in the late 1980s by psychologist Francine Shapiro. Since then, EMDR therapy has been extensively researched and is now recognized internationally as an evidence-based treatment for trauma and related concerns.
How Does EMDR Work?
EMDR is based on the idea that distressing or traumatic experiences can overwhelm the brain’s natural ability to process information. When this happens, memories may become “stuck,” along with the emotions, beliefs, and physical sensations associated with the event. These unprocessed memories can continue to cause emotional distress long after the experience has passed.
During EMDR therapy, a therapist helps the client recall a distressing memory while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation. Bilateral stimulation involves a rhythmic, side-to-side pattern that the client can see, hear, or feel. Common examples include guided eye movements, alternating sounds, or gentle tapping.
This combination of recalling the memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation is believed to activate the brain’s natural healing processes, allowing the memory to be reprocessed and stored in a less distressing way.
The Eight Phases of EMDR Therapy
EMDR follows a structured eight-phase protocol, which helps ensure that therapy is safe, effective, and tailored to each individual. These phases include:
- History taking and treatment planning
- Preparation and coping skills development
- Assessment of target memories
- Desensitization using bilateral stimulation
- Installation of positive beliefs
- Body scan for residual distress
- Closure
- Re-evaluation
This structured approach allows EMDR therapists to address trauma in a way that is paced and supportive.
EMDR and the Brain
One theory behind EMDR is that it mimics the natural processing that occurs during REM sleep, the stage of sleep associated with dreaming and emotional regulation. During REM sleep, the brain processes experiences and integrates memories. EMDR is believed to stimulate a similar process while the client is awake, helping the brain resolve unresolved memories.
What Can EMDR Help With?
EMDR is best known for treating PTSD, but it is also used to support individuals experiencing:
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Depression
- Phobias
- Childhood trauma
- Grief and loss
- Performance anxiety
- Low self-esteem linked to past experiences
Both adults and children can benefit from EMDR therapy when provided by a trained professional.
Is EMDR Evidence-Based?
Yes. EMDR has been researched extensively and is recognized as an evidence-based treatment for trauma by numerous international organizations. EMDR therapy is practiced by Registered Clinical Counsellors and Psychotherapists who have completed specialized training and certification in EMDR.
Is EMDR Right for You or Your Child?
EMDR is not a one-size-fits-all approach, but it can be a powerful option for many people. A trained EMDR therapist will carefully assess your needs and help determine whether EMDR is an appropriate treatment for you or your child.
If you are interested in learning more about EMDR therapy, please email admin@achievebalancecounselling.com. We would be happy to answer your questions and help you decide whether EMDR may be a good fit for your healing journey.
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It’s a psychotherapy approach primarily used to treat trauma-related disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and is also used to treat anxiety, depression, phobias and other emotional problems. EMDR was developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, and involves a structured eight-phase process that incorporates elements of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements, taps, or sounds). EMDR International
The goal of EMDR is to help individuals process distressing memories and beliefs associated with traumatic experiences. During a session, the therapist guides the client to recall distressing memories while simultaneously stimulating bilateral sensory input ie. something you can see, hear or touch, that occurs in a moving side-to-side pattern, such as moving your eye back and forth. This process is believed to facilitate the brain’s natural healing mechanisms, enabling the traumatic memories to be reprocessed and integrated into a less distressing form. It is believed that the same process happens during REM sleep.
EMDR has been researched extensively and has shown effectiveness in reducing symptoms of PTSD and other trauma-related conditions. It is considered one of the evidence-based treatments for trauma and is practiced by Registered Clinical Counsellors and Psychotherapist who have received specialized training in EMDR therapy.
Both adults and children can benefit from EMDR. If you are interested in learning more about EMDR please send an email to admin@achievebalancecounselling.com, and we can help you decide if EMDR might be right for you or your child.