What is EMDR?
I was recently asked by a friend what EMDR therapy was. I began to explain that it stands for eye movement desensitization reprocessing - which is a fancy way of describing the process of reducing the effects of trauma. I explained further that all trauma should be viewed as an open wound, and that EMDR is what heals that wound. “So you are like the sutures?”, after a moment of contemplation, I answered “No. EMDR is more like the disinfectant that gets into the wound, ensures that no further infection is possible, and then ensures that the wound continues to heal in the best way possible.” EMDR isn’t a bandaid, or stitches - it’s a process that actually reduces the negative impact caused by trauma.
The impacts of trauma can manifest into PTSD, anxiety, depression, panic disorders, codependency, grief and pain. The truth is, everyone at some point has experienced trauma. The question is, how is the trauma impacting your life? If it has a negative impact, perhaps EMDR therapy is for you.
EMDR therapy has eight phases and starts with history taking. In this phase it is important to establish a relationship with your counselor, one that leaves you feeling safe and validated. Over the first few sessions your counselor will work with you to identify targets - these are negative beliefs or distressing memories that relate to trauma.
Phase 2 works to build up coping skills and resources. Resources is a term used in EMDR therapy that refers to therapeutic tools used to explore traumatic events, and reduce emotional distress. As a counselor, I want to ensure that my clients have the tools needed to ensure equilibrium is maintained between sessions, and that my clients feel in control of their healing process.
Phases 3-6 are the phases that lead the way into the open wound and remove whatever infection is present. It is in these phases that negative beliefs are targeted, and in that process the client is left believing a positive belief instead. When we go through a traumatic event, often we are left with a negative belief that varies per person. That negative belief becomes “stuck” in the emotional center of our mind; our limbic system. The process of EMDR allows images, emotions and body sensations related to the event to be processed so that the negative belief is no longer “stuck”, and in its place a new positive belief exists. This process happens with bilateral stimulation - which is the process of getting the right and left brain communicating by engaging both sides of the body. Our right brain controls the left body, and our left brain controls the right body. Therefore if we stimulate both sides the brain can communicate in a new way, similar to how our eyes move back and forth when we are dreaming. My favorite example of bilateral stimulation is when a cat pushes its paws back and forth, but we also experience bilateral stimulation when we exercise, or rock a baby back and forth. The goal of phases 3-6 is to have no distress related to the target memory.
Phase 7 is closure of that target memory, which leads to phase 8. Phase 8 is usually the beginning of a new session, where your counselor will check back on the target memory to ensure it still remains distress free. How long these phases take depends on the amount of “fire” each negative belief holds. If you imagine a fire burning with a few embers it will take less time to burn out versus a fire that still has many logs.
EMDR changed my life. Before EMDR, I was having flashbacks, nightmares, panic attacks, and after EMDR those all went away. I was first diagnosed with PTSD in 2010, and I truly believe that if I had found EMDR sooner, I would have recovered from my PTSD quicker. I proudly say that my PTSD is 95% cured. The reason it isn't 100%, is because every now and then, something will trigger my PTSD. But the negative impact and reaction time has decreased significantly. I can easily identify what triggered me, and quickly respond with one of my many coping skills. Leaving the distress to only a quick moment in time. Trauma happens, but we can leave it where it belongs - in the past.
Sincerely,
Sarah
