EMDR Therapy: What it Is, How it Works, and Why you Should Try it.
Whether or not you have previously encountered the term EMDR, I can assure you that it is a topic you are likely to come across more frequently moving forward. EMDR therapy has become quite the buzzword in recent years, although this therapy has been around since 1989. Recently, Prince Harry spoke about his success with EMDR, highlighting how successful the modality has been for him. EMDR therapy is an evidenced-based method for treating trauma and distressing memories. This article will offer you a comprehensive overview of what Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) entails, how it works (in simple terms), and why you should consider this method to treat your own trauma. For me personally, EMDR has revolutionized my therapeutic approach and reshaped my perspective on trauma recovery. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to share more about this incredible therapy.
At a glance
This article will cover:
What EMDR is
How EMDR works to treat trauma
Why someone (yes you!) should try it
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a therapy that Francine Shapiro developed in 1989. One day while taking a walk and thinking about something distressing, Dr. Shapiro observed that her eyes were naturally moving gently back and forth. She also observed that after a period of these eye movements, her distress reduced significantly. Following her hypothesis that eye movements somehow reduce distress, she developed EMDR therapy over the following years. Over time, EMDR has emerged as a leading modality in trauma treatment, offering effective support for those navigating the impacts of past experiences.
Simply put, EMDR helps people process trauma by significantly reducing the distress associated with the memory. We all navigate the impact of trauma in our lives, whether it's a significant life-threatening event (referred to as "big T trauma") or a distressing experience that may not have directly endangered our lives but still caused harm ("little t trauma"). These events have lasting effects on our mental and emotional well-being, shaping both how we perceive ourselves and the world around us.
EMDR is designed to alleviate the distress linked to traumatic memories and support individuals in modifying the beliefs connected to these experiences. You can find more information about EMDR (including videos) on our resources page.
How does EMDR work?
EMDR follows an eight-phase protocol designed to support individuals in processing past traumas. During these phases, a skilled therapist guides you through identifying the target memory, exploring the associated emotions and sensations, and recognizing any negative beliefs tied to the memory. The therapist then guides you through bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or holding buzzers in each hand). Eventually, and after several repeated sets of bilateral stimulation, the distress reduces until the memory no longer causes emotional pain. Next, the therapist helps you install a positive belief associated with this target memory.
For example, if processing a memory of child abuse, someone might move from the belief, “it was all my fault” to “I’m completely safe now.” They would also be expected to move from experiencing significant distress (9 out of 10, for example) to no distress at all (0 out of 10) by the end of one or two sessions.
Why You Should Seek EMDR Therapy
EMDR may seem almost too good to be true with its remarkable effectiveness. This therapeutic approach is evidenced based and supported by hundreds of research studies.
Most people are shocked by the rapidity with which this therapy clears trauma and eliminates distress. Not every therapist can provide EMDR treatment due to the requirement of undergoing extensive training to become proficient in using this method. At Nourished and Known, PLLC we have two clinicians that use this tool and we have set the intention for all our clinicians to be trained in EMDR in the next year.
I highly recommend you consider EMDR as a tool for helping you overcome your own trauma. You may consider EMDR therapy if you resonate with the following statements:
I find myself ruminating on a negative event that happened many months or years ago.
I have difficulty moving past my anxiety, depression, panic, that resulted from one or more traumatic events.
I engage in negative habits or behaviors due to my trauma history.
If these statements describe you, you will likely be an excellent candidate for EMDR.