EMDR Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

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What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) is a therapeutic approach used to help individuals work through the distress of past traumas and adverse life experiences. During EMDR therapy, an individual will be asked to focus on an external stimulus while revisiting unpleasant memories. EMDR is a therapy that is structured to assist in reprocessing traumatic and distressing memories with the use of bilateral stimulation, typically using eye movement. This can help minimise the visceral and emotional reactions associated with traumatic memories. EMDR therapy does not directly focus on emotions and cognitions (thoughts) about a trauma, but instead changes the way the brain has stored the memory, which can in turn reduce and get rid of the troublesome symptoms.

Treatment Origins

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy (Shapiro, 2001) was initially developed in 1987 for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and is guided by the Adaptive Information Processing model (Shapiro 2007). EMDR involves the use of eye movements, tones, or taps to stimulate rhythmic bi-lateral stimulation.

Treatment Approach

EMDR therapy uses a structured 8-phase approach that includes:
Phase 1: History-taking
Phase 2: Preparing the client
Phase 3: Assessing the target memory
Phases 4-7: Processing the memory to adaptive resolution
Phase 8: Evaluating treatment results

Common Questions About EMDR

Is it necessary to tell my therapist all the details about my problems in order for them to be processed?

No, it is not necessary to talk about all the details of your experiences for them to be processed.

Is EMDR a brief treatment?

EMDR, as with all treatment approaches, will help you accomplish your treatment goals.

The length of time that it takes is dependent upon the complexity of your problems.
Frequently, EMDR is only one of several treatment approaches that will be used to help you reach your treatment goals.

What does an EMDR session look like?

You will be asked a set of questions to access and activate the negative experience and the desired adaptive resolution.

Sets of rapid eye movement (or other forms of bilateral stimulation) will be applied.
You will be encouraged to just “free associate” and allow the brain to work through the experience.
Sets of eye movements will be alternated with brief reports about what you are experiencing.
EMDR processing will continue until the past experience has been updated to an adaptive present perspective.
With long standing issues, this process may take multiple sessions.

Will I get emotional?

Yes, you may. Emotions and sensations may come up during processing; although, you will be prepared and your therapist will help you safely manage them. Once they are processed, they rarely come back!

Is EMDR like hypnosis?

No. During EMDR processing, you are present and fully in control.