EMDR or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is an integrative therapy which can assist people in resolving symptoms such as anxiety, obsessive thoughts, fears and phobias, intrusive memories and negative feelings about ones self, by facilitating a more adaptive way of processing difficult life experiences and negative beliefs. It can help an individual become more aware of, and activate, his or her own inner resources and strengths by integrating the mind, body and spirit.
EMDR was developed by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro in the 1980’s and has been the subject of dozens of research studies. This empirically based research has demonstrated that EMDR can help reduce the amount of distress a person feels about current or past traumatic events.
The American Psychiatric Association has indicated that EMDR is an effective treatment for symptoms of acute and chronic stress disorders like PTSD, which can occur after a traumatic life event. The Department of Veteran Affairs also recognizes EMDR as an effective treatment for combat related stress disorders and the World Health Organization (WHO) lists EMDR as one of the best therapies to treat PTSD and symptoms related to traumatic life experiences.
EMDR is different than traditional talk therapy. While the two therapies work well together, EMDR uses a specific structure which will guide you to focus on bringing attention to your emotions, body sensations, thoughts, beliefs and memories. The use of visualization, meditation, mindfulness, free association and imagination are common parts of an EMDR session.
The most unique element of EMDR is the use of what’s known as “bilateral stimulation.” This is the process by which you follow the therapist’s hand or light movement with your eyes, listen to alternating or bilateral sounds through headphones or hold pulsars or tappers in your hands that create a pulsing or tapping sensation in your hands. This bilateral stimulation is believed to stimulate the brain’s information processing system, allowing an individual to draw on a combination of new insight and understanding about the current or past experience, which, once arrived at, helps one feel better, stay in reality and shift out of negative beliefs.
How Does EMDR Work?
There is evidence that may support several theories behind the way EMDR works. One suggests that the brain stores different aspects of memories in different regions of the brain, and that using bi-lateral stimulation, both sides of the brain are utilized, engaged and interacting in such a way that all information is integrated and more available from our memory networks. Others suggest that EMDR evokes a physiological response similar to REM sleep; a part of the sleep cycle where memories are associated and integrated and that EMDR elicits a more integrated and relaxed type of attention.
Memory and brain research suggest that painful or traumatic experiences are in parts of the brain that are different from those where our neutral or pleasant memories are stored. When we experience a major trauma, like a life-threatening car accident, or a very painful event, like being humiliated by your grade school teacher in front of your class, the brain can become overwhelmed and processing can get disrupted and become “stuck.”
Out of these traumatic life events can come negative beliefs such as, “I’m in danger,“ “I’m powerless,” ”I’m worthless,” or “I can’t succeed,” which can get stuck in the brain and nervous system and remain in the original form with the original thoughts, feelings, sensations, smells sights and sounds. Even though the person survived the car accident, or went on to have other successes in school, it’s as though this information has been sealed off from the healthy functioning brain and the dysfunctional stored material is left not fully processed. This may explain why someone might still feel intensely troubled, disturbed, or badly about themselves, when thinking about a painful event which happened many years ago.
Some researchers and clinicians believe that EMDR may be able to neurologically reconnect this adaptive information in the brain which is then reprocessed and integrated at an accelerated speed, leading you to feel resolution and “in reality” about a disturbing event much more quickly than by using traditional talk therapy. For example, the person who survived a major car accident now feels the experience as in the past, and knows that they are safe now. The person who experienced the humiliation in school in front of the class can now feel it is in the past and doesn’t define who they are.
Other Things to know
Underlying EMDR is the assumption that each of has the capacity to access our own inner resources for health, healing and wisdom and that the brain, like our body, is always working to heal itself.
The purpose of EMDR is to help reprocess and clear blockages that prevent us from experiencing our inherent sense of wholeness, value and truth.
EMDR will not erase memories or remove anything that is useful or necessary.
In order to benefit from EMDR, it is important that you are in good general physical and psychiatric health, have some social support, can tolerate emotions, and are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Following EMDR many people find that they continue processing and that this leads to further insights. You may experience strong emotions, new memories, vivid dreams, or feel tired afterwards. The experience is very personal and each person responds differently. If you have any medical conditions such as heart or eye problems, seizures or if you are pregnant, you should consult a healthcare practitioner before beginning EMDR.
EMDR does not work for everyone and each person’s experience is unique. The best way to find out if EMDR is right for you is to speak with a reputable mental health professional with EMDR training and to honor your own experiences.