EMDR THERAPY
EMDR therapy facilitates the system’s innate ability to heal, allowing us to move through adverse life experiences and incorporate new growth and learning.
What is EMDR?
EMDR therapy is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy based on the adaptive information processing (AIP) model, which suggests that our current level of resiliency and health is directly related to how past memories of adverse life events, experiences or traumas are stored in our brains. Adequately processed memories are the basis of healthy coping and adaptive responses to life stressors, and inadequately processed memories are the basis of maladaptive behaviors and beliefs, as well as overwhelming
emotions and physical sensations that make it more difficult to cope with stress.
EMDR therapy is now accepted by many psychological and psychiatric associations as the treatment of choice for trauma. In 2013, The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended EMDR therapy as an empirically validated and effective trauma treatment.
How does EMDR therapy differ from other modalities, such as traditional talk therapy?
Traditional talk therapy, or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), looks at thinking patterns that influence behaviors and works to change maladaptive belief systems in order to improve current level of functioning. EMDR therapy looks at the memory networks that seem to be driving current symptoms and distress. Once those memory networks have been identified, the information held in these networks, including distressing images, beliefs, emotions, and physical sensations, are stimulated through the brain’s own information processing system. The disturbing memory can then link up to other adaptive memory networks and thus become integrated as part of our personal narrative without the previously held level of distress. As these memories move to adaptive resolution, we notice healthier responses to current life stressors and a greater sense of safety, belonging, and esteem in relationships and life in general.
How long will EMDR therapy take?
One potential advantage of EMDR therapy is that it may allow clients to resolve trauma more efficiently and effectively than other modalities. There are many factors that contribute to the number of sessions needed for resolution, including extent and nature of trauma, access to positive or adaptive memory networks, level of internal and external resources, and resiliency. While EMDR therapy can resolve traumatic memories rapidly, it is difficult to assess how many sessions may be needed.
I’ve been seeing my therapist for several sessions, and we haven’t started EMDR yet. Why not?
Many people equate bilateral eye movements with EMDR therapy. While eye movements are an important component of the memory reprocessing phases of EMDR therapy, they are just one piece of a robust eight-phase protocol, which includes history taking and preparation phases. From the moment you are introduced to your therapist, you are doing EMDR therapy. The preparation phase, for example, may include neurofeedback, DBT skills, or incorporating mindfulness techniques. Your therapist is
trained to determine what preparation phase work will be most beneficial for you and the pace that is right for your system.
Background
We are meant to heal. My work as a Certified EMDR therapist is to create the conditions for the mind, heart, and body to do what they are uniquely designed to do—integrate past adverse life experience with present wisdom and capacity for growth in order to alleviate distress and facilitate new learning.