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What is EMDR?

Have you ever wondered why we are the way we are or why we react the way we do to certain situations? Why you feel ready to book a one-way ticket halfway across the world when it feels like there is a threat to your relationship, you suddenly freeze when you hear your parents yelling in the next room, or notice yourself having an abreaction to a topic that reminds you of something that happened to you when you were a child? If you’re reading this, I’m guessing you have asked yourself something similar?! I think it’s safe to say that nothing exists in a vacuum. We have all had different experiences and relationships, and received messages that have shaped our views of ourselves and the world around us. However, because our brains work in mysterious ways, especially when it comes to protecting us from painful memories, these experiences, relationships, and messages might be hidden. Think of a scar from when you were a child… maybe it’s hard to recall exactly what happened or how it got there in the first place, but when you see the scar it signals a pain that is still remembered by the body. In essence, we all have wounds that we carry from our past. Eye Movement Desensitization Regulation (EMDR) is a way that clients can address these experiences that have created the scars they hold.

EMDR is an evidence-based practice that involves working with memories, body sensations, core beliefs, and emotions to reduce the vividness or “emotional charge” of past painful experiences. EMDR was originally developed by Francine Shapiro in 1987 to treat Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Because of its success and rapid effectiveness, EMDR has since been applied to a number of other mental health problems.

When I began my internship last fall, I noticed that something was missing from my practice. I quickly began to realize that my clients and I could not “talk” our way through anxiety, depression, and the like. I needed something that was gentler and kinder when addressing painful experiences like childhood abandonment, sexual assault, traumatic grief, repeated bullying experiences, and more. This “something” that was missing was EMDR.

EMDR emphasizes the brain’s ability to naturally heal itself – just as our bodies naturally heal wounds. However, when we have been overwhelmed by a disturbing event or repeatedly subject to distress, our brain’s ability to cope is overloaded. When our systems are overwhelmed, these disturbing/distressing memories may be unprocessed or ineffectively stored in our brains. Thus, leading to a higher likelihood of being continually triggered when we experience similar events, feelings, and/or sensations that transpired during the original difficult experience. We may not always remember the specific memory, but our bodies remember feelings of anxiety, panic, anger and despair.

EMDR appears to replicate what seems to be happening during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. To do this, your counselor will guide you through sets of bilateral stimulation (BLS). You may be wondering “what the heck is that?!” I know I was prior to EMDR training. BLS is rhythmic, alternating right-left stimulation of both sides of the body. The original form of BLS was eye movements. Now, it can involve tactile tapping or auditory tones.

EMDR therapy is just like any other evidence based treatment modality. However, it differs from traditional modalities, as it will be you and your brain doing your own healing! You will notice that you and your counselor will not make meanings/interpretations during reprocessing. However, discussions about your reactions, experiences, insights, and questions are very much warranted. Please note: this is not a form of hypnosis. You will remain in control and can stop the process at any time.

After reviewing your history, you and your counselor will engage in “resourcing”. Resourcing involves bolstering your coping skills tool belt! As you are engaged in resourcing, you will also engage in slow BLS. Next, you and your counselor will collaborate to develop targets for reprocessing. Targets are the events, images, and/or sensations that coincide with the particular distressing/disturbing incident. You and your counselor will gradually begin reprocessing your targets. For example, a client may present with a number of events that make her believe “I’m not good enough.” After EMDR, the goal is to shift the client’s focus to a more effective belief (i.e. “I’m good enough, regardless.”)

Since receiving training in June, I feel better prepared to help my clients heal in a way that doesn’t force them to reopen old wounds completely. You will NOT be required to go into detail about past trauma. After all, it is not important to recall the specific detailed events. Rather, it is the way that those events have impacted your view of self and the world around you that is important. So far, I have used EMDR for posttraumatic stress, anxiety, depression, complicated grief, and low self-esteem. I find myself utilizing EMDR over traditional talk therapies to treat trauma. Since making this switch, I have noticed my clients improving much more rapidly. Some have shared feeling “more calm”, “lighter”, and “free” after reprocessing distressing events. It is an honor to share this tool with my clients and witness the formation of new connections and neural pathways that will last a lifetime.

Is EMDR right for me?

Unfortunately, EMDR is not for everyone. Because of the rapid process, you will need to be aware of and willing to experience strong feelings and disturbing thoughts. Sometimes, reprocessing continues outside of session. To combat this, you and your counselor will work on strengthening your coping skills and resources prior to the reprocessing of any events. You and your counselor will determine if EMDR is a good fit for you. To request services, please call 330-397-6007 or visit our website at www.insightclinicalcounseling.com