EMDR Trauma Therapy
My connection with EMDR Trauma Therapy
In 2024, I completed trauma therapy training using the EMDR method at the Trauma Therapy Institute. The program adheres to the standards of EMDRIA-EMDR International Association and is recognized by European organizations such as EMDR-Europe and EMDR-Hellas.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR is an innovative therapeutic approach that helps individuals manage distressing symptoms resulting from traumatic life experiences. The full name of the EMDR method is “Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.”
This method, developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1987, integrates techniques from various therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Person-Centered Therapy.
EMDR is an evidence-based form of therapy. Numerous global organizations, including the American Psychological Association, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, and the World Health Organization, have recognized its effectiveness. It is considered one of the most effective therapy methods for treating trauma.
What is the goal of EMDR Therapy?
If you’ve experienced a traumatic event, you may struggle to process it properly, causing the event to be “encoded” in your memory in a dysfunctional way. This improper encoding results in being “stuck” with unhelpful thoughts, feelings, physical sensations, and a distorted sense of time. Dysfunctional information prevents the integration of more functional perspectives into the memory of the traumatic event.
For example, after a traumatic experience, you might be “stuck” in negative thoughts about yourself, such as “I am incapable,” without being able to link more helpful thoughts to the memory of the event (e.g., “I survived this”). You might also continue to experience intrusive images, sounds, or smells related to the past trauma without being able to process the fact that you are safe in the present.
The goal of EMDR therapy is to reprocess the traumatic experience, along with any associated unhelpful thoughts and feelings, in a way that reduces the emotional charge of the memory. This allows you to function more effectively in daily life without being overwhelmed by the trauma and minimizes the impact of future triggers that may remind you of the event.
More specifically, EMDR therapy is divided into three periods, each with distinct goals. During stabilization, the focus is on establishing a sense of safety within the healing process and strengthening your coping skills. During the processing period, the aim is to address the traumatic event in a way that reduces the distress and dysfunction it causes in your life. Finally, in the adjustment period, the goal is to integrate the insights and healing gained from the processing phase into your everyday life.
How does EMDR Therapy work?
EMDR therapy follows a structured approach consisting of eight distinct phases:
Phase 1: Discussing the traumatic and positive aspects of your life.
Phase 2: Explaining the EMDR process and preparing you with techniques for managing discomfort.
Phase 3: Identifying the distressing memory for processing and exploring related thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations.
Phase 4: You direct your attention to the traumatic memory while simultaneously experiencing “bilateral sensory stimuli” (such as visual or tactile cues, like eye movements or bilateral touch). “Bilateral stimulation” activates both hemispheres of the brain and, according to Shapiro, helps reduce discomfort, promotes the development of positive self-beliefs, and improves overall functioning.
Phase 5: Reinforcing new, helpful self-beliefs.
Phase 6: Focusing on bodily sensations after treatment.
Phase 7: Relaxation and distancing from the traumatic memory.
Phase 8: Reviewing the recent processing and exploring any remaining thoughts and discomfort.
Why is EMDR Therapy Effective?
EMDR therapy is believed to be effective due to the repeated exposure to the traumatic memory, which helps reduce distress. Additionally, therapy is structured to encourage a shift from focusing on the trauma to the “present moment.” This shift is thought to assist individuals in distancing themselves from the traumatic event. Moreover, the “bilateral stimulation” used in EMDR may activate the parasympathetic nervous system, producing a calming effect that alleviates the emotional pain associated with the memory. Finally, by processing the “stuck” information related to the trauma, EMDR helps to lessen the symptoms caused by the traumatic experience.
For which mental health difficulties is EMDR Therapy effective?
EMDR therapy is effective for a range of mental health issues, including:
- PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
- Stressful or traumatic memories (both recent and past)
- Anxiety disorders (e.g., Panic Disorder, Phobias)
- Depression
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Physical health conditions
- Chronic pain
- Complicated grief
Resources on EMDR Trauma Therapy
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