What is EMDR?

EMDR, short for Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy, is an eight-stage therapy that focuses on both the mind and the body. When individuals face stressful or traumatic events, processing these experiences can become challenging, leading to negative beliefs about oneself (others and the world) and mental health issues. EMDR facilitates safe processing of these events, reducing their triggering impact and restoring daily functioning.

EMDR places significant emphasis on core beliefs and their connection to distressing or traumatic life events. Core beliefs are deeply ingrained perceptions of ourselves that feel fundamental to our identity, such as feelings of inadequacy, lack of safety, the need for control, powerlessness, isolation, or entrapment. These beliefs often stem from childhood traumas but can manifest at any stage of life.

Dr. Francine Shapiro developed EMDR during the 1980s, and it has emerged as a prominent evidence-based therapy for trauma treatment. Extensive research indicates its efficacy not only in addressing trauma but also in managing grief, depression, phobias, anxiety, and various other mental health conditions stemming from distressing life experiences.

How does EMDR work?

EMDR therapy accesses memory pathways through bilateral stimulation (BLS). This technique, a safe and effective component of EMDR, activates both brain hemispheres by employing tapping, auditory, tactile, or visual stimulation, based on the client's choice. Throughout this process, clients are guided to recall and process challenging life events, facilitating their brain's movement toward resolution.

EMDR does not adhere to a fixed schedule or specific session count, and there's no definitive way to respond to it. Prior to using bilateral stimulation (BLS) to address traumatic or stressful experiences, individuals collaborate with their therapists to cultivate internal resources (coping mechanisms, tools) aiding in regulating the nervous system. These resources are regularly applied within sessions and afterward to further manage emotions and bodily sensations, with clients having the option to utilize them between sessions if needed. Moreover, fostering a strong client-therapist relationship remains crucial in EMDR, creating a sense of safety and trust that facilitates the transition into the processing phase.

How can I expect to feel after?

Feeling fatigue following an EMDR processing session is common, as the bilateral stimulation engages both brain hemispheres, exerting additional mental effort that might go unnoticed consciously. While some individuals might sense tiredness during the sessions, others may notice increased sleepiness afterward. Alongside tiredness, mild headaches or heightened emotional sensitivity might occur, a typical response in trauma processing, be it through EMDR or other therapeutic methods. EMDR therapists prioritize self-care on processing days, encouraging more rest, increased hydration, exercise, or any personal practices that aid in replenishing energy levels.

Who’s appropriate?

EMDR is suitable for clients of any age prepared to explore and work through life events in therapy, even those without clinically defined traumatic experiences. It's applicable for individuals grappling with negative self-beliefs and proves effective for managing grief, depression, phobias, anxiety, and various mental health concerns. Whether in-person or virtual, the choice of EMDR modality relies on the client's preference and the therapist's evaluation of the suitable treatment mode.

What are the benefits of EMDR?

EMDR offers various advantages, aiming to facilitate the complete resolution of traumas rather than erasing memories. When addressing distressing experiences, the negative core beliefs linked to them gradually lose intensity, while adaptive beliefs established through BLS start feeling true. For instance, someone grappling with a negative belief like "I'm not good enough" in the context of trauma becomes desensitized to this belief via BLS and learns to authentically internalize the belief “I’m okay as I am.”