EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION REPROCESSING (EMDR)

There has been a lot of talk about EMDR lately but what is EMDR, exactly? Well for starters, EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing. What that means is that it is a technique that focuses on your eye movements to bring up past, often traumatizing memories and then desensitizes the emotions that are associated with that memory.

This may sound like a magic trick and the results have been magical for many. However, it is one of THE most researched counseling modalities out there!

The beginning...

The EMDR technique was created by Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1987. As the story goes, she was out walking one day and found that as she moved her eyes side to side her anxiety and distress concerning a particular situation seemed to decrease. As a psychologist, this peaked her interest and she began to fine-tune the technique. The rest is history.

How does it work?

There are many ways to use the EMDR technique. A therapist that is trained in the EMDR technique may use their fingers, lights, tappers, sounds, or even have you tap your arms or legs to simulate the EMDR technique. EMDR can even be done online via video!

It is believed that the technique simulates how our brains function as we sleep and dream. The magical part is that the therapist is able to move the client from the distressing part of the memory to a less emotional state by using this technique. Some even say that the rhythm of the tapping triggers soothing feelings in the deepest part of our brain from when we were infants. This causes the person experiencing the EMDR technique to feel calmer and even sleepy!

After releasing heavy, stored traumatic memories you may feel tired or sleepy after the release. However, you are fully awake, safe, and aware during the entire EMDR process.

What types of issues can be processed with EMDR?

EMDR can be used for many disorders. It is most often used to help a person process traumatic memories. However, it has also been used to help a person get to the root or source of their anxiety, depression and other distressing symptoms.

Who is a good candidate for EMDR?

Almost everyone can use EMDR. However, an EMDR-trained therapist may opt to process the traumatic material with more talk therapy prior to utilizing EMDR, if at all. Other disorders may rule out the potential use of EMDR. If this technique is not appropriate for you, then your therapist will explain why.

How many sessions should I expect to do the EMDR technique?

The number of session can vary depending on the severity of the trauma. However, up to three (3) sessions is standard. More extensive sessions may be required to help treat complex trauma.

I hope this information was helpful and if you are interested in EMDR, be sure to ask your therapist about it!