Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
EMDR is not solely used for trauma-related issues. It can also be helpful in addressing the following issues, to name a few:
Anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, performance anxiety
Depression and bipolar disorders
Grief and loss
Chronic illness/pain and medical issues
Sleep disturbance
Substance abuse and addiction
Violence and abuse
What is EMDR?
EMDR is an eight-phase trauma treatment that comprehensively identifies and address experiences that have overwhelmed the brain’s natural resilience and coping capacity, which generates traumatic symptoms and/or harmful coping strategies. When a person experiences a very upsetting event or trauma, their brain can have difficulty processing the information. Later, after the upsetting event, the memories, emotions and sensory experiences from that event may feel emotionally “stuck.” The moment can be remembered vividly or remembering may feel like going through the experience for the first time. The person may also overreact to situations that remind them of the original event in some ways.
How does EMDR work?
EMDR assists individuals in processing disturbing events that have been locked away in the nervous system by allowing the brain to process the conscious and unconscious material. It is believed that EMDR harnesses the brain’s natural ability to heal, helps to desensitize individuals to difficult experiences and associate positive beliefs about themselves. When a memory has been cleared through EMDR processing, the person can still remember the event, but it is less upsetting.
What is an EMDR session like?
When originally developed, EMDR used horizontal eye movements, similar to what occurs naturally during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. This horizontal movement is thought to cause alternating bilateral stimulation of the brain that facilitates the healing process. In a typical EMDR session, the therapist leads a person through a series of bilateral eye movements, sounds or alternating tactile stimulation while holding different aspects of the traumatic memory in mind. As this happens, clients begin to access the traumatic memory network so that processing of the event occurs, and the memory becomes less disturbing and new associations are created between that traumatic memory and more adaptive memories.
For more information on EMDR, visit this site.
How do I know if EMDR is right for me?
One of more sessions is needed for the therapist to understand the nature of the issues, take a client history and assess whether EMDR would be an appropriate treatment. The decision to pursue EMDR treatment is a collaborative decision-making process between the therapist and client. Several criteria are used when assessing readiness for EMDR treatment:
Commitment to treatment
Level of emotional and physical safety and stability
Some form of consistent support system outside of therapy
Able to tolerate relatively high levels of emotion
HOW LONG DOES AN EMDR SESSION TAKE?
Typical EMDR sessions last from 60 to 90 minutes. Single event traumas, such as a car accident, may require a minimal number of sessions. Long-term trauma and multiple traumatic events require a longer time commitment. The type of problem, life circumstances and the amount of previous trauma will determine how many treatment sessions are necessary.
If you are interested in EMDR or want to talk to a therapist to see if EMDR might be a good treatment option for you, please call us at 770-753-0350 or email us at info@paracletecounseling.com.