About EMDR: Part 1 - The Basics

Intro to EMDR

Research demonstrates that EMDR is an effective treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, AND therapists also report successful use with other clinical presentations, including:

• Panic Attacks

• Complicated Grief

• Dissociative Disorders

• Disturbing Memories

• Phobias

• Pain Disorders

• Performance Anxiety

• Stress Reduction

• Addictions

• Sexual Abuse

• Physical Abuse

• Personality Disorders

According to EMDRIA, the EMDR International Association, the clinical definition of EMDR is as follows:  “Definition - EMDR is an evidence-based psychotherapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In addition, successful outcomes are well-documented in the literature for EMDR treatment of other psychiatric disorders, mental health problems, and somatic symptoms. The model on which EMDR is based, Adaptive Information Processing (AIP), posits that much of psychopathology is due to the maladaptive encoding of and/or incomplete processing of traumatic or disturbing adverse life experiences. This impairs the client’s ability to integrate these experiences in an adaptive manner. The eight- phase, three-pronged process of EMDR facilitates the resumption of normal information processing and integration. This treatment approach, which targets past experience, current triggers, and future potential challenges, results in the alleviation of presenting symptoms, a decrease or elimination of distress from the disturbing memory, improved view of the self, relief from bodily disturbance, and resolution of present and future anticipated triggers. “

In simpler terms, EMDR is a method that trained therapists may use to help individuals heal from traumatic or disturbing life events they feel are negatively affecting them in current, daily life. Disturbing life events can create physical, emotional, and psychological responses that become “stuck” in our bodies and our awareness. When this happens, we can easily (and sometimes without warning) relive the negative emotions, body sensations, action urges, and belief systems that were present at the time of the negative life event.  

Our amazing brains have an automatic and natural process of self-healing emotional wounds. Unfortunately, when an event is too traumatic or disturbing, this process can become blocked, serve as a barrier to natural healing, and cause intense and repetitive suffering for the individual. EMDR works with the brain’s information processing system to get “unstuck” and help clients reprocess these events so they no longer have to relive the experiences in their current day lives. 

Is EMDR an effective form of treatment? 

The American Psychiatric Association, the World Health Organization, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Defense, all recognize EMDR as an effective form of treatment. 

Furthermore, EMDR is considered by many to be one of the most effective treatments for PTSD and related trauma symptoms. Both the Department of Veteran Affairs and the Department of Defense gave EMDR an “A” rating in the treatment of PTSD with adults. 

Furthermore, counselors all over the world have verbalized their success with EMDR and EMDR training opportunities continue to grow in popularity with new clinicians.   

What is with the Eye Movements?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and is commonly (and understandably) known by community members as the therapy where you move your eyes back and forth horizontally. Though this can be the case, as time time and research progressed, we learned that EMDR could be successful without the use of eye movements. Recently, EMDR researchers and practitioners have stressed the importance of something called dual awareness.   In dual awareness an individual will be simultaneously aware of the past (the target memory) AND the present moment. This dual attention is linked to positive outcomes in EMDR and other supported interventions, including Exposure Therapy. The bilateral stimulation during EMDR sessions, such as eye-movements, can be helpful to achieve dual attention by focusing the client on the present moment. Additionally, bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, helps to activate the information processing system (Shapiro, 2001). Bilateral stimulation is a general term used for sensory stimulation that crosses the center body-line. This can be achieved by eye movements, or other methods, such as alternating auditory tones, alternate tapping (ex. on the legs or back of the hands), or tactile stimulation (ex. alternating buzzers held in each hand). Your therapist should work with each client individually to find a source of BLS that is comfortable and leads to effective outcomes. 

For more information on EMDR, please visit the EMDRIA website.

Next time, in PART 2, we will discuss the origins and development of EMDR therapy. 

Check out this short video about EMDR!  

RESOURCES:

American Psychiatric Association (2004).   Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Acute Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association Practice Guidelines.

Department of Veterans Affairs & Department of Defense (2010). VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Post-Traumatic Stress. Washington, DC: Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs and Health Affairs, Department of Defense.

Foa, E.B., Keane, T.M., Friedman, M.J., & Cohen, J.A. (2009). Effective treatments for PTSD: Practice Guidelines of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies New York: Guilford Press.

Sack, M., Otti, A., Zehl, S., Stingle, M. (2016). A Comparison of Dual Attention, Eye Movements, and Exposure Only during Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Results from a Randomized Clinical Trial.  Psychotherapy & Psychosomatics, 85(6), 357-365

SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (2011):  http://nrepp.samhsa.gov/ViewIntervention.aspx?id=199

Shapiro, F. (1989). Efficacy of the eye movement desensitization procedure in the treatment of traumatic memories. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 2, 199-223

Shapiro, F., (2001). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: Basic Principles, Protocols and Procedures. (2nd Edition) New York: The Guilford Press.

Shapiro F. (2007). EMDR, adaptive information processing, and case conceptualization. J. EMDR Pract. Res. 1 68–87. 10.1891/1933-3196.1.2.68

What is EMDR Therapy; EMDR International Association.  Retrieved Feb. 2018 from https://emdria.site-ym.com