A Path to Emotional Healing and Trauma Recovery with EMDR Therapy
Feeling overwhelmed by traumatic memories, anxiety, or persistent negative thoughts? Struggling to manage stress or emotional distress that impacts your daily life? Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy can help. In this blog, I'll explain what EMDR is, how it works, what it can help with. My goal is to make this powerful therapy accessible and relatable for you.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a therapeutic approach developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. Originally designed to treat PTSD and alleviate distress from traumatic memories, EMDR has evolved into a comprehensive and integrative psychotherapy approach. At its core, EMDR therapy helps individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences and distressing life events.
The essence of EMDR therapy is based on the idea that psychological distress often comes from unprocessed or 'stuck' memories. These memories can disrupt the brain’s natural processing system, leading to various emotional and psychological issues. This can result in:
PTSD symptoms like flashbacks and hypervigilance
Behavioral patterns like people-pleasing and over-responsibility
Other issues such as anxiety, depression, and some chronic pain
EMDR helps "unstick" these memories and enables the brain to reprocess them. This can lead to profound changes in your mind and body, such as:
Shifts in core beliefs about yourself (e.g., from “I am worthless” to “I have worth”): Leading to increased sense of self-worth and confidence.
Feeling calmer and less triggered (e.g., staying composed when something ‘triggering’ happens).
Enhanced ability to manage your emotions and stay present.
Reduced physical symptoms such as headaches, some chronic pain, etc.
Increased resilience: Feeling more able to cope with future stressors and challenges.
Better sleep quality and decreased nightmares.
EMDR uses different kinds of Bilateral Stimulation to help the brain’s natural healing process.
How Does It Work?
The process of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing involves several phases:
History Taking and Treatment Planning: This initial phase involves getting to know you, understanding your history, and identifying specific memories or issues to target during the therapy.
Preparation: We work together to develop coping mechanisms to manage any distress that might arise during processing and in daily life. We build a ‘coping toolkit’ to manage stress, overwhelm, and other emotional experiences.
Assessment: In this phase, we identify specific memories and the negative beliefs associated with them. We also establish positive beliefs you would like to adopt.
Desensitization: This is the core of EMDR ‘processing.’ Using bilateral stimulation (typically side-to-side eye movements, but there are other options), we work on desensitizing the emotional impact of traumatic memories. This helps to process the memory in a way that reduces its emotional charge.
Installation: We work on strengthening the positive beliefs identified earlier, helping you replace negative self-beliefs with more adaptive ones.
Body Scan: This phase involves paying attention to any residual physical sensations related to the distressing memory, ensuring that all aspects of the distress are resolved.
Closure: We ensure that you leave each session feeling stable and in control. We 'put away' the material worked on during the session so you can continue your day and week feeling good. Your ‘coping toolkit’ is crucial here.
Reevaluation: In subsequent sessions, we evaluate the progress made, ensure we are on track, and determine the next steps.
These phases outline a structured approach to healing. EMDR should be conducted by a professional therapist in a safe and controlled environment. This ensures the process is effective and that you receive the support you need throughout your EMDR healing journey.
What Can EMDR Therapy Help With?
EMDR is best known for its effectiveness in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, its applications extend far beyond PTSD. Here are some issues EMDR can help with:
Anxiety and Panic Disorders: EMDR can help process the underlying causes of anxiety and panic, leading to a significant reduction in symptoms.
Depression: By addressing the traumatic memories or negative beliefs fueling depression, EMDR can provide relief and promote healing.
Phobias: EMDR can help you work through memories that trigger fears stemming from past traumas, making you feel less afraid by addressing the root causes.
Grief and Loss: Processing the painful memories and emotions associated with loss can lead to a healthier grieving process.
Addictions: EMDR can address the trauma and negative beliefs that often underlie addictive behaviors, supporting recovery efforts.
Chronic Pain: By targeting the emotional distress linked to chronic pain, EMDR can contribute to pain management and relief.
Moving Forward with EMDR Therapy
EMDR is a powerful approach that can help you manage your emotions and improve your relationships, enhance your emotional well-being and lead a more fulfilling life.
If you have any questions or are considering EMDR, feel free to reach out. You do not have to do this journey alone. Change and healing is possible.
Cheers,
Mackenzie Kinmond, MSW, RSW Psychotherapist
Follow me on Instagram and Facebook for more entertaining and educational content.