What Is EMDR Therapy?
Photo by Vlad Fonsark
Back in the 80s while on a walk in a local park, a psychologist named Frances Shapiro was thinking about recent distressing events. She was looking back and forth at the scenery around her, and noticed that after her eyes stopped moving from left to right and back, her distressing events seemed less distressing.
Intrigued, she began experimenting with eye movement while recalling images or sensations that were upsetting. As a result of that walk and her subsequent studies that span three decades, a therapeutic practice was born that is now called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR.
What is EMDR?
EMDR is a therapy modality that involves the use of bilateral stimulation while recalling distressing or traumatic events. Bilateral stimulation is any type of stimulation that activates both sides of the body, and as a result both sides of the brain. This includes eye movement, sound, tactile stimulation and tapping.
When both sides of the body are activated, a connection between left and right hemispheres of the brain is established, which in turn helps promote faster communication and integration in the brain as a whole.
How is EMDR helpful?
Many of us carry memories with us that are distressing, and can feel anywhere from mildly annoying to profoundly traumatic. These memories are like shingles that got loose on a roof; they are not connected to the whole in the way that they should be.
EMDR activates our memory network and creates a bridge between brain hemispheres that allows us to identify the loose shingle and affix it to the rest of the roof. The loose memory becomes integrated into your brain’s adaptive memory network and the memory is desensitized, meaning it does not disturb you as it used to anymore.
Which, if we follow our roof analogy, means that when it rains this loose shingle doesn’t let your house - your body - bear marks from emotions, images and sensations “raining” on you over and over again.
What are some specifics about EMDR?
There are many wonderful characteristics of EMDR that make it a great modality for memory reprocessing. Here are a few of them:
While doing EMDR, you maintain what is called dual awareness. It means you have one foot in the present while you are with your therapist, and one foot in the past, seeing the memory you are working with.
You do not need to share or talk about your trauma to do EMDR. When you therapist checks in with you between sets of eye movements (or other bilateral stimulation), you may simply state that you are noticing new sensations and keep going. This helps prevent retraumatization while working with difficult memories.
EMDR can at times facilitate memory reprocessing and desensitization in as little as one session. It is not uncommon to hear that a client has been able to reprocess a difficult memory quickly. That being said, it is important to note that everyone’s timeline is different. But knowing that your brain is determined to help you on your path to integration can help with feeling like you have an ally in the process.
EMDR is a somatic practice, meaning it engages your body and the feelings and sensations stored in it as a result of difficult memories and/or trauma. As I have mentioned in previous posts specifically about trauma healing, working with moving trauma out of the body is key to long-term progress and healing.
EMDR is an evidence-based practices, with dozens of research studies attesting to its effectiveness in treatment of trauma and PTSD.
How do you get started with EMDR?
To find an EMDR provider, you can visit EMDRIA website here (it is important to note that EMDRIA website typically lists therapists who have completed advanced EMDR training and certification program, while most EMDR therapists have a basic training and may not be listed here). Googling EMDR therapists in your area is another sure way to find a provider that can be a good fit. If you already have a therapist you work with and want to supplement your work with EMDR, you can always ask for referrals.
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