Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR… I bet you scratch your head when you think of that acronym. It sounds familiar, right? That’s because it is! Let me tell you why as you embark on your journey in finding treatment for your linkage of trauma(s).
P.S. It’s also an evidence based practice, meaning science backs the model! Trust me when I tell you that EMDR really works!
HISTORY
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) was developed in 1987 to help treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by a woman named Francine Shapiro. Shapiro used a self-developed model called, “The Adaptive Information Processing” it supports the idea that; “symptoms of PTSD and other disorders result from past disturbing experiences that continue to cause distress because the memory was not adequately processed” (American Psychological Association, 2017).
WHY CHOOSE EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapeutic approach that aims to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories or experiences. Developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR utilizes bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, to facilitate the processing and integration of traumatic memories. During an EMDR session, the client is guided to recall distressing memories while simultaneously engaging in specific eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation. This process helps to desensitize the emotional charge associated with the traumatic event and allows for the reprocessing of the memory, leading to a reduction in distress and the development of more adaptive coping mechanisms.
EMDR has gained recognition as an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and has also shown promising results in addressing other mental health conditions, such as anxiety, phobias, and depression.
Eight stages (listed below) help set the stage for effective treatment, and will assist you better understand the foundation of the treatment planning done by the therapist as they work with you in managing your trauma(s).
The Phases of EMDR (American Psychological Association, 2017):
Phase 1: History-taking
Phase 2: Preparing the client
Phase 3: Assessing the target memory
Phase 4-7: Processing the memory to adaptive resolution
Phase 8: Evaluating treatment results
Additionally, “Unlike other treatments that focus on directly altering the emotions, thoughts and responses resulting from traumatic experiences, EMDR therapy focuses directly on the memory, and is intended to change the way that the memory is stored in the brain, thus reducing and eliminating the problematic symptoms” (American Psychological Association, 2017).
EMDR has been proven to be successful in treating a variety of diagnoses in mental health.
IF YOU FEEL THAT YOU ARE INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT EMDR,
here are some resources for extra self-learning:
Book: Shapiro, F., & Forrest, M. S. (2016). EMDR: The breakthrough therapy for overcoming anxiety, stress, and trauma. Hachette UK
OR, IF YOU ARE FEELING READY TO DIVE IN HEADFIRST AND SEE IF EMDR IS RIGHT FOR YOU,
please call Spring EOP at (719) 301-5458 to schedule an appointment with a therapist who is trained in EMDR.
Written by: Julia Briggs and Christi Oliver
Citations:
American Psychological Association. (2017, May). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/treatments/eye-movement-reprocessing
For photo entry: Curious If EMDR Is An Effective Form Of Therapy? Here’s What To Know. (2020, March 3). HuffPost. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/emdr-therapy-trauma_l_5e56cb98c5b68f79fdc43ae2