EMDR Therapy is an evidence-based treatment that is typically used for PTSD, but it has also been found to be effective in treating other mental health conditions, such as anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders and phobias. It’s important to note that this therapy is not meant as a “catch-all” for these other conditions, and people should seek the services of an experienced therapist to see if it is the best option for them.
During the first session, your therapist will take a thorough history to help determine if EMDR is right for you. They may ask questions about specific events or experiences that have been upsetting to you, as well as how these events affect your daily life. The therapist will then develop a treatment plan for you, which will include an initial phase of reprocessing your disturbing memories and their associated emotions.
This process is unique in EMDR, and it’s one of the reasons that the therapy has been so successful. It’s based on the idea that past traumas don’t get properly processed in the brain, and that’s why these disturbing memories continue to cause distress even after the traumatic event has ended. Your therapist will work with you to recall the memory, and while you’re doing so, they’ll have you follow their fingers with your eyes or engage in some other form of bilateral stimulation, such as tapping on the shoulders or using audio or visual stimuli. This is a key component of the treatment, and it’s what helps break the negative association between the memory and your negative symptoms.
After the memories have been reprocessed, your therapist will switch to new sets of stimulating modalities. For example, they might have you recall a positive thought and then follow their fingers with your eyes again. This helps your brain associate the good thoughts with the reprocessed memories and switches off your fight or flight response. Eventually, you’ll be able to recall the upsetting events without triggering any negative feelings or behaviors.
In the final phase of EMDR, your therapist will work with you to strengthen your positive beliefs. They’ll also evaluate how you’re doing between sessions and teach you coping skills to help you manage any negative thoughts or feelings that might come up between sessions.
This therapy is not a quick fix and it can take a long time to go through all the phases of EMDR, especially for those who’ve suffered from a lot of trauma in their lives. But it is a safe and highly effective treatment, and it’s something that anyone can benefit from. If you’re curious about trying EMDR, be sure to find a practitioner who is certified by the EMDRIA, the international organization that runs the certification and training for practitioners who practice this therapy. They keep a directory of professionals who are certified to offer EMDR, and this is an excellent place to start your search.