EMDR THERAPY
Originally developed to only treat Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD), EMDR is now used to treat adults and children suffering from past or current trauma and many other conditions that include:
- Stress
- Depression
- Panic Disorders
- Eating Disorders
- Grief
- Anxiety
- Substance Abuse
- Persistent Worry
- Trauma
WHAT IS EMDR THERAPY?
EMDR, sometimes called eye movement therapy, is a research-backed trauma therapy that uses our understanding of neuroscience to change how our brain deals with traumatic memories and traumatic stress. It works by helping to reprocess traumatic memories to make them less emotionally intense and overwhelming.
As a result, your body, emotions, and brain can heal after years of feeling disconnected and distressed. With the help of EMDR Therapy, you may notice that feelings that previously felt too intense or overwhelming have less of a hold over you. You may also notice your relationships with others improve, as well as an overall improved functioning in various areas of your life.
HOW DOES EMDR WORK?
EMDR is an 8 phase treatment modality and includes much more than just eye movements. The 8 phases of EMDR treatment include:
1. History taking and treatment planning
This involves your therapist getting to know you through sharing your history, with an emphasis on traumatic events you’d like to work through.
2. Preparation
Your therapist will share what the process of EMDR looks like and answer any questions you may have. They’ll also share grounding and coping skills that you can turn to if you’re feeling overwhelmed during a session.
3. Assessment
During this phase, you’ll identify the events, thoughts, feelings, beliefs that you’d like to target for reprocessing with your therapist.
4. Desensitization
This is the phase that people usually think of when they hear EMDR. During this time, your therapist will use bilateral stimulation techniques (either auditory, visual, or tactile stimulations that involve both sides of the body).
Bilateral stimulation example:
5. Installation
During this phase, you’ll learn how to create and associate new positive, core beliefs that will replace traumatic memories.
6. Body scan
You’ll be prompted to scan your body and share the sensations you’re experiencing, while keeping in mind your traumatic event and positive belief.
7. Closure
Once the reprocessing has taken place, your therapist will help ensure that you’re feeling grounded and calm to help you return to the present moment. You may be asked to share about your thoughts, feelings, and reactions to the traumatic event, as well as how you’re feeling in your body.
8. Reevaluation
In subsequent sessions, your therapist will check in with you about how you’re feeling regarding the traumatic memories that were processed, and determine if additional work is needed.
