When people hear the word “EMDR,” they often think of eye movements, but taps may also be used. EMDR is an effective form of therapy that speeds up the brain’s natural healing process. It’s been shown to be effective in resolving trauma and relieving PTSD symptoms. It can also be used to treat a variety of other mental health conditions including bipolar disorder, unipolar depression, anxiety and other conditions that co-occur with PTSD such as eating disorders and substance abuse issues.
Developed in the 1980s by psychologist Francine Shapiro, EMDR works to desensitize traumatic memories so that they no longer trigger difficult feelings and behaviors. Unlike most talk therapies, EMDR doesn’t involve talking about what happened or why it was traumatic in great detail. Instead, the client is asked to recall visual imagery associated with a painful or troubling memory and to follow specific eye movements or taps while doing so. It’s believed that this technique mirrors the brain activity that occurs during REM sleep and helps to change how a person feels about a distressing memory.
EMDR has become a popular method of treatment in recent years due to its effectiveness and speed. It has been endorsed by a wide range of organizations and government agencies, including the American Psychiatric Association, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence in the United Kingdom. It’s been shown to be effective for a number of other conditions as well, including phobias and test anxiety.
While some people may be hesitant to try EMDR for fear of the unknown, research shows that it’s safe and does not cause side effects. It is important to choose a trained therapist to perform this treatment. The therapist should have an advanced degree and be licensed to practice. They should have completed a training program and be certified as an EMDR therapist by one of several private organizations. They should be able to answer your questions and provide you with a clear description of how the procedure works.
The EMDR process consists of eight phases, and clients will work through them over multiple sessions. During phase one, the therapist will assess the client’s readiness for EMDR and develop a treatment plan. During this session, the therapist will identify possible targets for EMDR processing. These can include traumatic events from the past, or current situations that are causing emotional distress.
In the second phase, the therapist will help the client to remember the disturbing memory. During this time, the therapist will use bilateral stimulation (either eye movement or taps) to stimulate the frontal lobe of the brain and distract the amygdala, which processes fight, flight or freeze reactions. The therapist will then encourage the client to focus on positive thoughts while recalling the memory.
This step involves identifying the negative beliefs that are associated with the memory and changing them to more empowering ones. It’s believed that this helps the client to feel less powerless and more resilient.
