By Lara Symonds, MA, LMFT, DCEP
Imagine a therapy that involves following the movement of your eyes to process past traumas and ease emotional distress. That’s Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for you! Let’s explore the basics of EMDR and how its unique approach taps into the mind-body connection for healing.
EMDR is a therapeutic approach primarily used for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related conditions. Developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR is based on the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, positing that distressing memories can be effectively processed when bilateral stimulation (like side-to-side eye movements) is introduced.
During an EMDR session, individuals recall distressing memories while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation, facilitated by the therapist’s guidance. The goal is to promote the integration of traumatic memories by facilitating adaptive information processing.
Numerous studies support the efficacy of EMDR, such as a meta-analysis published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress, which found that EMDR is as effective as cognitive-behavioral therapy in treating PTSD. The exact mechanisms underlying EMDR are still under investigation, but it is believed to involve memory reconsolidation and the reduction of emotional charge associated with traumatic memories, leading to symptom relief and psychological healing (Shapiro, 2014; Bisson et al., 2013).
Guided eye movement in EMDR treatment is often the bilateral stimuli used for memory reprocessing.
EMDR’s Treatment Approach
EMDR is structured around an eight-phase treatment approach designed to help individuals process distressing memories and alleviate symptoms associated with trauma. The eight phases are as follows:
- History-Taking and Treatment Planning: During the initial phase, the therapist gathers information about the client’s history, trauma experiences, and current symptoms. This information is used to develop a treatment plan tailored to the individual’s needs.
- Preparation: The therapist works with the client to establish trust, explain the EMDR process, and teach relaxation techniques. This phase aims to ensure the client feels adequately prepared to engage in the therapeutic work.
- Assessment: Specific target memories or events are identified for reprocessing. The therapist helps the client focus on the emotions, negative beliefs, and physical sensations associated with these memories.
- Desensitization: In this phase, the client recalls the targeted memories while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation, often through guided eye movements. The goal is to desensitize the emotional charge associated with the distressing memories.
- Installation: Positive beliefs are introduced and strengthened during this phase. The therapist guides the client in replacing negative beliefs with positive ones to promote adaptive processing of the traumatic memories.
- Body Scan: The client is encouraged to notice any remaining physical tension or discomfort related to the targeted memories. Bilateral stimulation is used to help the individual process and release any lingering somatic symptoms.
- Closure: The therapist ensures that the client is in a stable emotional state before concluding each session. Techniques are taught to help the client self-soothe between sessions if needed.
- Reevaluation: In subsequent sessions, the therapist and client assess progress and reevaluate the impact of EMDR on the targeted memories and associated symptoms. If necessary, additional memories may be addressed.
It’s important to note that the eight-phase approach can be flexible and always adapt to the individual’s unique needs and circumstances. The reprocessing of memories and the alleviation of trauma-related symptoms are central goals throughout each phase of EMDR therapy. The efficacy of EMDR has been supported by numerous studies, making it a widely recognized and evidence-based therapeutic approach for trauma treatment.
Key Concepts of EMDR
EMDR recognizes the interconnectedness of the mind and body and relies on two core components: bilateral stimulation and the mind-body connection.
These components take on different forms specific to each client but consist of:
- Bilateral Stimulation: Movement or physical act in the form of guided eye movements, taps, and/or auditory cues.
- Mind-Body Connection: Trauma’s manifestations beyond thoughts and to physical sensations, emotions, and behaviors.
It’s believed that through the mind-body connection that bilateral stimulation forms when applied during memory recall, EMDR addresses trauma in its entirety. Bilateral stimulation’s role is to engage both hemispheres of the brain to facilitate the processing of traumatic memories. Targeting trauma by intertwining the physical body and the mind aims to accomplish a holistic, trauma release.
EMDR’s holistic targeting helps those suffering from trauma experience a full-body release.
Is EMDR Right for Me?
EMDR is most appropriate for individuals who have experienced distressing or traumatic events and are struggling with symptoms such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or other trauma-related conditions. It has been extensively researched and shown efficacy across a broad range of populations, including survivors of trauma, victims of accidents, individuals with phobias, and those experiencing symptoms related to adverse life experiences.
EMDR is particularly suitable for individuals who may find traditional talk therapy challenging, as it offers a structured and experiential approach that focuses on processing memories and alleviating associated distress. While EMDR has proven effective for various populations, its appropriateness is ultimately determined by the individual’s unique circumstances and the clinical judgment of a trained therapist.
How Effective is EMDR, Really?
Numerous research on the effectiveness of EMDR continues to support it as an effective therapeutic intervention for trauma-related conditions. A recent review and meta-analysis by Cristea et al. (2021) assessed the efficacy of EMDR for PTSD and found that it demonstrated superiority over no treatment and was comparable to other established treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Furthermore, a systematic review by Valiente-Gómez et al. (2020) examined the effectiveness of EMDR in diverse clinical conditions and affirmed its positive outcomes, particularly in reducing PTSD symptoms. These recent studies contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the efficacy of EMDR in various populations, reinforcing its status as a valuable therapeutic option for individuals dealing with trauma-related disorders.
Mind-Body Connection in EMDR
Understanding why the unique process of EMDR has been found to successfully treat trauma requires an understanding of how trauma impacts the mind and body—where it lives and how it manifests beyond the traumatic event. Unlike other therapeutic methods with segmented targeting, EMDR targets trauma holistically. The intentionally formed connections between memory processing and bilateral stimuli use the mind and body’s innate wiring to the trauma survivor’s benefit, by its signal for both to store and associate the memory differently.
EMDR’s effectiveness relies heavily on the following psychological concepts:
- Somatic Experiencing: EMDR acknowledges the somatic (body) aspects of trauma. The therapy encourages individuals to notice physical sensations and movements during the processing of memories, recognizing that the body holds crucial information about one’s emotional state.
- Stress Reduction: Engaging in bilateral stimulation is thought to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and reducing the stress response. This mind-body connection helps individuals feel more grounded and in control during the processing of distressing memories.
- Reduction of Autonomic Arousal: EMDR has been associated with a decrease in physiological arousal, including heart rate and skin conductance. The bilateral stimulation appears to contribute to the downregulation of the sympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and safety.
- Mindfulness and Body Awareness: EMDR incorporates elements of mindfulness and body awareness. Clients are encouraged to stay present with their experiences, including thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations. This heightened awareness supports the processing and integration of traumatic memories.
- Promotion of Self-Regulation: EMDR aims to enhance self-regulation skills, helping individuals manage emotional and physiological responses to trauma-related stimuli. The therapeutic process encourages clients to develop a sense of control and mastery over their internal experiences.
Our body holds trauma physically and mentally. For long-term healing, EMDR addresses all areas where these memories are stored.
How Beneficial is EMDR?
Studies continue to solidify just how beneficial EMDR can be in treating trauma, especially for those suffering from PTSD. While EMDR has been an effective treatment method for anxiety, addiction recovery, abuse recovery, etc., its research’s conclusion thus far supports how it helps and who it’s most likely to help. Every person’s experience is unique and therefore so is their treatment. Working closely with a therapist to determine what treatment will prove most beneficial is important, but when EMDR is determined as the best fit and is successful, it can result in:
- Effectiveness in Treating PTSD: EMDR has demonstrated efficacy in treating PTSD, with research suggesting that it is comparable to other established therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy.
- Rapid Symptom Reduction: Studies have shown that EMDR may lead to a faster reduction of symptoms compared to some other therapeutic approaches, providing relatively quicker relief.
- Versatility in Application: EMDR has been successfully applied to a range of psychological conditions beyond PTSD, including anxiety disorders, phobias, and depression.
- Reduced Dropout Rates: Some studies indicate that EMDR may have lower dropout rates compared to other therapeutic modalities, suggesting better adherence to treatment.
- Integration of Traumatic Memories: EMDR is designed to help individuals process and integrate distressing memories, leading to a reduction in the emotional charge associated with traumatic experiences.
- Empowerment and Self-Efficacy: EMDR emphasizes the empowerment of individuals in their healing process, promoting a sense of self-efficacy as clients actively engage in reprocessing memories.
- Minimal Exposure: Unlike some exposure-based therapies, EMDR may involve less confrontation with traumatic memories, making it potentially more tolerable for individuals who find traditional exposure challenging.
- Positive Impact on Somatic Symptoms: EMDR has been reported to have positive effects on somatic symptoms associated with trauma, helping individuals alleviate physical manifestations of distress.
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EMDR may seem unconventional, but its effectiveness in trauma treatment and its acceptance as an evidence-based treatment for trauma speak volumes. By incorporating the mind-body connection through bilateral stimulation, EMDR provides a unique pathway to healing emotional wounds. If you’re exploring therapeutic options, EMDR might be the eye-opening approach that guides you toward a more harmonious mind-body connection.
