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Why You Should Consider EMDR Therapy If You Are Suffering From Trauma

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Understanding EMDR Therapy: A Breakthrough in Mental Health Treatment

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), is a highly effective therapy for treating trauma and other psychological disorders. Developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR therapy has gained popularity for its ability to help patients process and heal from traumatic experiences.

Trauma can have a profound impact on a person’s mental and physical health. While traditional therapies often involve detailed accounting of the events, EMDR therapy allows patients to process trauma without having to extensively revisit the experience, a better option for patients who struggle to verbalize their experiences.

What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR therapy is a structured therapeutic approach that uses bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, to help patients process and integrate traumatic memories. The most widespread use of EMDR is for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but it is also used to treat anxiety, depression, addiction, behavioural difficulties, relationship issues and more serious mental illnesses such as psychosis and personality disorders. The therapy consists of eight phases designed to address different aspects of the healing process.

The Eight Phases of EMDR Therapy

  1. History Taking: In addition to getting a full history and conducting an appropriate assessment, the therapist and patient work together to identify targets for treatment. These can include past memories, current triggers, and future goals.
  2. Preparation: During the preparation phase, the therapist educates the patient about the mechanics of EMDR and develops strategies to deal with the stress of the trauma including breathing techniques, imagery, or mediation.
  3. Assessment: This phase, which can take as little as 30 seconds, involves activating the patient’s trauma memory, and bringing it into the patient’s awareness. The assessment phase targets specific memories or experiences. As each event is recalled, the therapist will ask the patient to describe:
    • Body sensations
    • Emotional reactions
    • Negative cognitions (NC) negative thoughts related to the event. Ex: I am powerless. I will fail.
    • Subjective Units of Disturbance (SUD) — the intensity of distress being experienced on a scale of 0-10
    • Positive cognitions (PC) – positive thoughts related to the event. Ex: I am loved. I am worthy.
    • Validity of Cognition (VOC) — how much the positive cognitions are believed to be true on a scale from 1-7 .
  4. Desensitization: The fourth phase is where desensitization occurs. This is the process of helping the patient feel less distress when thinking about the target memory. Techniques are used to lower the subjective units of disturbance (SUD) to zero. The SUDS rating system is used to assess how disturbed one feels about an event, with 10 being the most disturbed and zero being not at all disturbed. Techniques include:
    • Having the patients move their eyes back and forth following the therapist’s hand movements.
    • Using auditory or tactile bilateral stimulation (BLS). For example, using sounds or tapping on the patient’s hands while they focus on the target memory.
  5. Installation: Once the desensitization therapy session is complete, the patient will likely feel more positive about the memory. However, it is during the installation phase that these positive emotions and thoughts are “installed” by having the patient focus on a positive cognition (PC) or thought while continuing with bilateral stimulation. An example of a PC might be “I am safe and in control of my life” while thinking of a memory where you felt unsafe and out of control. The primary objective is to create positive thoughts and associations with the memory.
  6. Body Scan: During the body scan, the therapist will ask the patient to recall the original target event to determine if there is any residual tension in his body. If there is, the therapist will continue to offer bilateral stimulation until any remaining negative sensations have been cleared out of the body. An EMDR session is not considered successful until the patient can recall the original traumatic event without feeling any body tension.
  7. Closure: The seventh phase is known as closure. Closure takes place at the end of each reprocessing session and is intended to return the patient to a state of feeling calm and relaxed. The closure process will take 5-10 minutes at the end of each session. Three areas mark the completion of the closure phase:
    • The patient feels neutral about the event (SUD=0)
    • The positive beliefs feel completely true (VOC=7)
    • There is no longer disturbance in the body
  8. Reevaluation: After step 7 is complete, the therapist will reevaluate the patient’s current level of distress for memory (SUD). If the patient reports a reduction in distress, they will move on to the next target memory. If not, additional sessions may be necessary. The reevaluation stage is the starting point for each new session, which will help identify future goals and objectives for treatment.

Who Should Consider EMDR Therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy is highly effective for those suffering from PTSD, helping them to process and reduce symptoms associated with traumatic memories. People with anxiety disorders, including panic attacks, can benefit from EMDR as well, by reframing negative thought patterns and reducing anxiety triggers. EMDR therapy reduces the intensity of fear responses by addressing underlying traumatic events or negative beliefs contributing to their condition.

Benefits of EMDR Therapy

  • EMDR is widely recognized as one of the most effective treatments for PTSD. It helps individuals reprocess traumatic memories and reduce symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety.
  • Compared to traditional therapy, EMDR can produce faster results. Some patients report significant improvements after just a few sessions.
  • EMDR does not require medication or extensive verbal recounting of traumatic events, making it a less invasive option for many people.
  • While EMDR is best known for treating PTSD, it is also effective for anxiety, depression, phobias, and other mental health conditions.
  • EMDR addresses both the psychological and physiological aspects of trauma, promoting holistic healing and overall well-being.

Finding an EMDR Therapist

Look for professionals who are certified by recognized organizations such as the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA). A certified therapist has undergone extensive training and adheres to high standards of practice, ensuring you receive the best possible care. Dr. Britvan is a trained EMDR clinician. If you are interested in exploring EMDR therapy, please contact us to schedule an exploratory session.

Conclusion

The goal of EMDR therapy is to identify and process negative thoughts and emotions associated with a traumatic memory, ultimately leading to a reduction in distress. Its structured approach, combined with the use of bilateral stimulation, helps individuals process and integrate traumatic memories, leading to significant improvements in emotional well-being. Whether someone is dealing with PTSD, anxiety, or depression, EMDR offers a promising path to recovery.

Interested in trying EMDR therapy? Schedule your first appointment today.

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