Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing

Eye

Movement

Desensitization

& Reprocessing

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing is also known as EMDR

What is EMDR?

According to the American Psychological Association:

(Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) EMDR Therapy

Is a structured therapy that encourages the patient to briefly focus on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements), which is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotions associated with the disturbing memories.

American Psychological Association

What can EMDR Therapy be used for?

 EMDR therapy is used for numerous issues but is specfically known to help your brain reprocess that which has not been able to do so on its own.  The EMDR procedure was initially known for its effectiveness for alleviating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But, EMDR is now known to be used for a wide variety of applications and situations such as various anxities including: phobias,[1] and test anxiety,[2].  Also, EMDR has proven to be effective at times with dermatological disorders[3] and pain management.[4].  EMDR is used for both processing truama, integrating needed material for the brain, and life enhancemnt applications.  EMDR is also known to be effective and useful for  life enhancement or performance enhancement in such areas as: sports, writing, selling, public speaking and much more.  EMDR can be used for almost anything.

AddictionsAbuseAffair RecoveryAnger IssuesAnxietyDepressionEating DisordersGrief/Loss

Panic Attacks

PTSDSexual Abuse

StressTrauma& More

What does EMDR Therapy look like?

History and Treatment Planning

In this phase personal and family history is explored, which can include developmental and attachemnt issues, as well as traumatic events that were either psychological and/or physcial .  Also, standard assessments may be used.  Through this information in alliance with the client therapeutic treatment goals are determined along with a target sequence plan.

Preparation

(1) It is in this phase that you will learn more about EMDR and other relevant psycho-educational pieces.  (2) your therapist will help you to develop:  emotional regulation skills, grounding skills, stress reduction skills, ego state change skills, safe-place and/or safe-state image. (3) You will be introduced to eye movement and other bilateral stimulation (BLS). 

Assessment

In this phase a target is determined in order to move into the next phase.  You will be asked to identify an image, a negative self-belief (cognition), a positive cognition that will empower you in regard to this event, you will be asked to rate your positive cognition and also rate how disturbing your target memory is from a scale of 0-10.  You will be asked to describe your emotions and what your experience is in your body.

Desensitization

The client is now supposed to focus on the previously selected target memory while doing back and forth eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation.  This process will continue with breaks, interweaves and other interventions until there is no longer any emotional distress and is neutral.

Installation

The negative cognition previously discovered is now replaced with the positive cognition previously chosen.  This positve cognition is installed using eye movement or BLS.  This is all checked using what is called a validity of cognition scale.  This continues until it has completely reached its highest level of strength.

Body Scan

The client is now asked to conscioulsy scan their body as they recall the target memory to find any body sensation, tensions or lingering stress.  If there is any stress or tension in the body then more  BLS is done.  This is repeated until the body is calm.

Closure

Closure is the step that is implemented upon the closing of the therapy session or the completion of the reprocessing of the targeted memory.  What this will look like all depends on whether the processing was complete or not.  There will be a final check on the client's emotional disposition, there may also be a time of stabilization which can include exercises like calm-place, Heart Coherence breathing or other forms of relaxation exercises.

Re-evaluation

The therapist re-evaluates the target to determine the stress levels.  If the last session did not complete the processing of the determined target then it is re-evaluated and the client begins at phase 4 again until the target memory is completed. If the client has completed the target memory previoulsy worked on then the re-evaluation takes the client to the beginning of the client's goals and targets for reprocessing.  Once a memory target is fully processed then a positive future template can be added to aid the client in new goals, new skills, mastery, and new identity (self-esteem).

Frequently asked questions about EMDR Therapy

What is EMDR Therapy?How does EMDR therapy work?What Does EMDR Therapy Look Like?How Does EMDR Work In The Brain?Does EMDR cure PTSD?EMDR Therapy for Couples and Marriage IssuesOverview of EMDR Therapy