Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based therapy most commonly used in the treatment of trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This treatment helps reprocess memories of traumatic events, making it easier to work through emotional distress.
It can help manage symptoms related to trauma such as depression, anxiety, and flashbacks. Working with a licensed psychologist, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (visuals, sounds, tapping, etc) to activate parts of the brain that make it easier to re-wire memories.
Phase 1: History Taking
The first phase of EMDR is to get an accurate history of your physical and mental health history. Your therapist may want to spend time discussing your current diagnosis, symptoms and what treatments you have tried in the past.
In addition to a full history, you and your therapist will work together to identify targets for treatment. These can include past memories, triggers, and goals. Phase 1 and 2 will be helpful in establishing a strong relationship with your therapist. This will allow for more open communication and higher trust, leading to a more effective treatment.
Phase 2: Preparation
The preparation phase will build off of phase 1 to continue establishing a strong relationship with your therapist conducting the EMDR sessions. Here your therapist will prep you for the following phases and explain how the EMDR process works. This may include how sessions are organized and what you can expect during and after treatment sessions.
This phase is also where you will set goals and expectations of treatment with your therapist. It will be helpful to ask any questions or address any concerns before officially starting the reprocessing phases.
Phase 3: Assessment of The Target Memory
The assessment phase focuses on identifying the event or memory to be re-processed. Your therapist will ask questions to activate memories of trauma and bring it into your awareness.
During this process you will recall specific images or symbols of the memory. You will then work with your therapist to change the negative belief about yourself as you recall the traumatic experience.
You may feel sensations or emotions arise, and rate the intensity of these on a scale from 0-10. After, you will choose a positive belief you want to replace with the negative one to be reprocessed.
Phase 4: Reprocessing: Desensitization
Desensitization is the first phase of the re-processing phases.This process is done through the use of bilateral stimulation. Bilateral stimulation will have you move your eyes rapidly, while possible wearing headphones that provide beeping in different ears.
This stimulation lets the brain enter a state where you can process deep trauma and emotional distress. With the guidance of your therapist you will slowly be desensitized to the pain and discomfort of the traumatic memory. This phase will be repeated until your Subjective Unit of Disturbance (SUD) reaches 1 or 0. During this phase new thoughts, feelings or bodily sensations may emerge.
Phase 5: Reprocessing: Installation
After working through the distress, you will be able to install and strengthen the positive belief you have identified during the assessment phase. Bilateral stimulation is continued in this phase, focusing on the memory and the new positive belief.
The patient will work with the therapist until the positive belief to replace the negative event feels true.
Phase 6: Reprocessing: Body Scan
After installing the positive belief you will complete a full body scan from head to toe. This will check for any sensations, physical reactions or distress. Sometimes even when our brains move past a trauma, our bodies still hold the memory, causing physical reactions.
The body scan is important to fully process and move past the trauma. It helps reset your nervous system back to a neutral state so you are not controlled by the traumatic memory or experience.
Phase 7: Closure
After the session is finished you will spend anywhere from 5-15 minutes to calm your thoughts and let yourself process your session. Your therapist will guide you back into a normal state and back into the present moment.
It’s important to have proper closure at the end of your session to avoid any reactions or sensations from processing stress and trauma. This phase is easier when your therapist takes the time in phase 1 and 2 to develop a strong relationship with you where you can have open communication and high levels of trust.
Phase 8: Evaluating Results
Re-evaluation will take place at the beginning of all your new sessions. You and your therapist will go over previous results, how you are currently feeling, re-assessing treatment goals and putting any insights from your session into action.
You will also re-visit your target memory and positive belief to check for any changes since your last session.
