EMDR: How does it work?

15 May

Life throws curveballs, and sometimes those curveballs leave us feeling stuck. We carry the emotional weight of past experiences, impacting our present and future. If you're looking for a powerful tool to heal from trauma and emotional distress, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy might be the answer you've been searching for.

EMDR is a unique and effective psychotherapy approach that helps individuals process disturbing memories and associated negative emotions. This blog delves into the world of EMDR, exploring its inner workings, the conditions it can help with, and what to expect during a session. We'll also explore the research on its effectiveness and answer any lingering questions you might have.

The Core of EMDR: Reprocessing Traumatic Memories

Imagine your brain as a filing cabinet. Ideally, traumatic memories are filed neatly, allowing you to access them without emotional overwhelm. However, trauma can disrupt this filing system, leaving these memories "stuck" and easily triggered. EMDR therapy aims to unlock these stuck memories and facilitate a healthy reprocessing process.

The Theory Behind EMDR: Adaptive Information Processing (AIP)

EMDR is based on the theory of Adaptive Information Processing (AIP). AIP proposes that our brains naturally process information from daily experiences, integrating them with existing memories and emotions. However, during traumatic events, this processing gets disrupted. The overwhelming emotions and sensory details get "frozen" in the brain, leading to future emotional and psychological problems.

EMDR helps reactivate the processing system, allowing the brain to re-evaluate the traumatic memories and integrate them in a healthier way.

The Magic Happens in the Session: What to Expect During EMDR Therapy

EMDR sessions are typically conducted by a trained therapist in a safe and supportive environment. Here's a breakdown of what you might experience:

Preparation: The initial sessions involve building rapport with the therapist and establishing a safe space for exploration. You'll discuss your goals for therapy and identify specific memories you want to target with EMDR.
Target Identification: You'll collaborate with your therapist to identify a specific traumatic memory, along with the negative emotions, beliefs, and body sensations associated with it.
Bilateral Stimulation: This is the core component of EMDR. While focusing on the memory and its associated elements, you'll engage in bilateral stimulation. This could involve following the therapist's finger movements back and forth with your eyes, listening to alternating tones in each ear, or tapping on your knees alternately.
Processing: During bilateral stimulation, you may experience a range of thoughts, images, emotions, or body sensations related to the memory. The therapist will guide you through this process without judgment, allowing you to observe these experiences without getting overwhelmed.
Desensitisation and Reprocessing: As you continue with bilateral stimulation and processing, the intensity of the negative emotions associated with the memory should gradually decrease. You may also develop more positive beliefs about yourself and the event.
Installation: Once the memory feels less emotionally charged, the therapist will help you identify a positive belief about yourself that you want to associate with the memory. Bilateral stimulation is then used to strengthen this positive belief.
Evaluation: At the end of each session, the therapist will discuss your experience and assess your progress. You'll also discuss any homework assignments, such as journaling or practicing relaxation techniques.

Conditions That Can Benefit from EMDR

EMDR therapy has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of conditions, including:

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Anxiety disorders
Depression
Phobias
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Panic disorder
Pain management
Eating disorders
Grief and loss

The Evidence Speaks for Itself: Effectiveness of EMDR

EMDR is one of the most extensively researched psychotherapy approaches for treating trauma. Numerous studies have shown its effectiveness in reducing symptoms of PTSD and other mental health conditions.

Here are some key findings:

A 2017 meta-analysis found EMDR to be as effective as other established treatments for PTSD, such as exposure therapy. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7839656/)
A 2018 study demonstrated the effectiveness of EMDR in reducing anxiety symptoms in individuals with generalised anxiety disorder. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4125321/)
Research also suggests that EMDR can be effective in treating depression, phobias, and other mental health conditions.

Get started with MOH

EMDR therapy offers a unique and effective approach to healing from past traumas and emotional distress. It empowers you to reprocess negative memories and develop healthier coping mechanisms. While this blog post has explored the core principles of EMDR, it's important to remember that every healing journey is unique.

If you're considering EMDR therapy and wondering if it's right for you, reach out to us at MOH. Our experienced therapists can assess your situation and discuss how EMDR can help you achieve your goals. We understand that finding the right therapist is crucial, so we'll work diligently to match you with a qualified EMDR therapist who aligns with your needs and preferences. Take the first step towards emotional healing and a brighter future. Contact us today at MOH and let's explore the possibilities together.