EMDR Treatment
EMDR is a structured therapy that encourages the patient to focus briefly on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements), which is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and PTSD symptoms.
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Ongoing research supports positive clinical outcomes, showing EMDR therapy as a helpful treatment for disorders such as anxiety, depression, OCD, chronic pain, addictions, and other distressing life experiences.Â
What Does EMDR Look Like?
In practice, EMDR involves a therapist guiding a client to focus on a traumatic memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation—usually tracking the therapist's hand movements back and forth, listening to tones, or using hand-held tappers. The process reduces the emotional intensity of memories, replacing negative beliefs with positive ones.
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An EMDR session and treatment will usually constitutes the following:
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Preparation:Â The therapist helps the client establish a "safe space" or calm state using visualization or relaxation techniques.
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Target Identification: The client identifies a specific traumatic image, negative belief, emotion, and physical sensation.
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Bilateral Stimulation (BLS): While focusing on the memory, the client follows the therapist's fingers, a light bar, or hears alternating tones.
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Processing: The client reports any shifts or changes in thoughts, feelings, or sensations after each set of BLS, which usually lasts 20–40 seconds.
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Reevaluation:Â The therapist repeats the sets until the memory is less disturbing and a positive belief is installed.
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EMDR can be treatment on it's own as well as supplemental to other traditional forms of individual therapy. It has been effective not only when helping with trauma, but also many other mental health conditions including phobias, eating disorders, substance use, personality concerns, and depression.Â