EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a type of psychotherapy developed to help people process and recover from traumatic experiences and distressing memories. It was initially created by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s.

How does EMDR work?

EMDR is a therapeutic model with 8 phases. They are:

• History Taking and Treatment Planning: The therapist gathers information about the client’s history, current concerns, and the specific traumatic events or memories they want to address. Together, therapist and client identify target memories for processing and establish treatment goals.
• Preparation: The therapist helps the client understand the process and build coping skills. This phase often includes relaxation techniques to help manage any distress that might arise during the sessions.
• Assessment: The therapist and client identify specific traumatic memories and associated negative beliefs. The client is asked to focus on these memories while the therapist helps them determine how they currently affect their thoughts and feelings.
• Desensitization: This is the core phase of EMDR. The client focuses on the traumatic memory while simultaneously engaging in guided bilateral stimulation, typically through following the therapist’s fingers moving back and forth with their eyes, or through other forms like auditory tones or taps. This process is thought to help the brain process the traumatic memory and reduce its emotional charge.
• Installation: The goal here is to replace negative beliefs associated with the traumatic memory with positive ones. For instance, if a person felt worthless due to a traumatic event, the aim would be to help them replace that belief with something more positive and affirming.
• Body Scan: The client is asked to focus on any residual physical tension or discomfort related to the traumatic memory and address it. The goal is to ensure that the memory no longer causes physical or emotional distress.
• Closure: This phase helps the client return to a state of equilibrium and ensures they have the tools to manage any residual distress. The therapist might guide the client through relaxation exercises and review coping strategies.
• Reevaluation: At the start of subsequent sessions, the therapist and client review the progress made and address any new issues or residual distress related to the memory.

What does EMDR help with?

EMDR therapy is effective across a wide range of psychological conditions and challenges, including:

• Trauma and PTSD: EMDR is particularly renowned for its effectiveness in treating PTSD by addressing traumatic memories directly.
• Anxiety and Phobias: It can help individuals reduce anxiety and overcome specific phobias.
• Depression and Bipolar Disorders: EMDR may assist in addressing underlying traumatic experiences contributing to mood disorders.
• Dissociative Disorders: It can aid in integration and stabilization for those with dissociative symptoms.
• Eating Disorders: EMDR might help individuals process trauma related to body image or past experiences contributing to disordered eating.
• Chronic Pain and Medical Issues: It can complement medical treatment by addressing emotional aspects of chronic conditions.
• Performance Anxiety: EMDR may alleviate anxiety related to performance or public speaking.
• Personality Disorders: It can be integrated into treatment plans for various personality disorders to address underlying traumatic experiences.
• Grief and Loss: EMDR can help individuals process grief and complicated bereavement.
• General Stress Reduction: It aids in reducing overall stress and improving coping mechanisms.

EMDR therapy is an evidence-based treatment that emphasizes reprocessing traumatic memories to promote healing and adaptive functioning. By engaging the brain’s natural processing capabilities, EMDR facilitates a reduction in the emotional charge and distress associated with past traumas, leading to improved mental health and well-being.

For more information you can visit the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA).