What is EMDR Therapy?
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR is a specific type of trauma-focused therapy that has been around since the late 80’s. It capitalizes on the brain’s ability to change and create new patterns, also known as neuroplasticity. This is largely facilitated by something called “bilateral stimulation,” a unique and effective aspect of EMDR treatment.
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing. EMDR uses rapid sets of eye movements (or other types of movement/stimulation) to help you update disturbing experiences, much like what occurs when we sleep. During sleep, we alternate between regular sleep and REM (rapid eye movement). This sleep pattern helps you process things that are troubling you.
EMDR replicates this sleep pattern by alternating between sets of bilateral stimulation and brief reports about what you are noticing. This alternating process helps you update your memories to a healthier present perspective.
Bilateral stimulation is how EMDR involves the body in therapy. Bilateral stimulation means stimulating the right and left side of the body separately. Traditionally, this was done by the therapist sitting in front of the client and moving their hand back and forth in a left-right motion, having the client follow their hand with their eyes. However the process has since evolved to include sound stimulation, light stimulation, stimulation provided by hand-held devices known as “tappers” as well as self-stimulation via tapping. Tapping looks like the client tapping their arms or legs with their hands.
This bilateral stimulation is used as a tool as you process traumatic thoughts, memories, emotions, sounds, or internal narratives. This unique stimulation, combined with EMDR’s framework for viewing positive and negative self thoughts, makes it one of the most effective trauma-based treatments in therapy.
Additionally, EMDR involves a lot of grounding in your therapy session. This might look like deep breathing, meditation and guided imagery, mindfulness, body scans, etc. A deeply important aspect of trauma work is involving the body, including calming the body and nervous system down during and after processing.
How do you know if EMDR might be a good fit for you?
EMDR is a helpful type of therapy for “stuck” memories or thought patterns. If you are already working with a therapist, consult with them. They can provide insight to you on whether or not you might be a good fit as well as help you come up with your therapy goals for EMDR.
EMDR processing helps you break through the emotional blocks that are keeping you from living an adaptive, emotionally healthy life.
EMDR is not a “quick fix,” while quick relief can be experienced, EMDR-- like any other form of therapy-- requires time, effort and patience in order to see sustainable results.
If you think EMDR therapy might be right for you, call or text our Client Care Coordinator at 801-305-3171 to make an appointment with an EMDR-certified therapist at The Healing Group.