Many of us have negative stories that we do not want to remember, as they bring fear, sadness, and discomfort. However, the more we run from them, the more they haunt us.

One of the therapeutic interventions that we utilise here at Liberty Home Clinic to help those individuals process their trauma is the Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy. It works not by removing the traumatic memories but by changing how they are stored in the brain so individuals can deal with them more effectively.

What is EMDR Therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) integrates some principles from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with various bilateral movements.

The process called dual stimulation involves recalling stressful or unresolved trauma while the individual is focusing on rhythmic or left and right simulations such as eye movements, auditory cues, and taps to facilitate positive and self-chosen beliefs. More specifically, the individual focuses on the traumatic memories and associated emotions while tracking the therapist’s moving finger as the individual’s eyes move back and forth across their field of vision.

Generally, the use of EMDR therapy is to process the past traumatic memories that cause the present problem. In EMDR parlance, processing does not mean talking about it; it means setting up a learning state that allows those memories to be stored appropriately in your brain. EMDR works by helping individuals discard inappropriate emotions, beliefs, and body sensations and store helpful ones to guide them in positive ways in the future.

The 8 Phases of EMDR Therapy

EMDR is a type of psychotherapy that follows a structured process that includes eight distinct phases to help the individual process what happened in the past, what is happening in the present, and how to prepare for the future. In addition, these eight phases also allow both the individual and therapist to develop a therapeutic relationship before processing the traumatic event and to improve the overall treatment outcome.

History and Treatment Planning

The first few sessions in EMDR therapy involve exploring the individual’s history. The therapist might ask about the specific problems brought into therapy and their symptoms. With this information, the therapist defines the specific targets and creates a treatment plan where EMDR strategies will be used. These targets include traumatic memories from the past, present situations that cause distress, and teaching skills needed for future wellness. Once these are all identified, EMDR therapy can begin.

Preparation

EMDR emphasises the importance of self-care. Hence, the preparation stage involves teaching the individual some coping strategies to handle intense emotions that may occur during or between sessions. Furthermore, this stage is also essential to developing a therapeutic alliance between the individual and the therapist. The process, including the principles of EMDR, how it works, and what to expect during and after EMDR treatment, is discussed in detail.

Assessment

The assessment phase of EMDR focuses on identifying the aspects of the target to be processed. This phase lays the groundwork for the actual EMDR therapy procedures, where the following are identified:

A specific scene that represents the target event. Although the target event was discussed in the previous sessions, the therapist’s work at this phase is to have the individual clarify the visual image of the traumatic event, including the associated emotions and bodily sensations.
A negative belief about oneself related to the traumatic event. This might include self-statements such as “I am helpless,” “I am worthless,” “I am unlovable,” or “I am dirty.”
A positive belief. This includes self-statement, which should reflect what is appropriate in the present to replace negative beliefs. For example, “I am safe now” or “I do matter.”

Reprocessing

Once the individual completes the first three sessions of EMDR therapy, the processing phase of trauma starts. This involves recalling the target (traumatic) image while the individual is simultaneously engaging in bilateral movements, such as a series of rapid eye movements. During the reprocessing, the individual’s attention is divided between the target image and the therapist’s finger movements. This allows the individual to experience the distressing memory while remaining grounded in the present to process and reframe how the trauma is stored in the brain.

Desensitisation

This phase deals with individuals’s responses, such as memories, insights, and associations that may arise as the targeted event changes and its disturbing elements are resolved. During the process, the EMDR therapist assists the individual in focusing attention on negative beliefs, disturbing emotions, and bodily sensations that might be felt when the target image is being recalled and the bilateral stimulations are being performed. The individual will be asked to recognise and identify the reactions during the processing, whether good, bad, or neutral, including new insights.

Installation

In this phase, the principal objective is to bolster the positive beliefs identified by the individual and supplant any existing negative beliefs. Analogous to phase 4, the individual concentrates on the mental image while simultaneously pursuing the therapist’s finger with their eyes. During the process, the therapist guides the individual to integrate these new belief systems into the individual’s self-concept and emotional responses.

Body Scan

Once the negative beliefs surrounding the trauma are replaced with healthier positive beliefs and then installed and strengthened, the therapist asks the individual to bring the original target event to mind and notice whether or not the individual feels any tension in the body. Physical tension and discomfort are addressed through bilateral stimulation until resolved. An EMDR therapist deems this phase successful when the individual can discuss the original target without experiencing any physical tension.

Closure

In the closure phase of EMDR, the therapist ensures that the individual is grounded and in a state of calmness before leaving the session. In cases where the processing of the traumatic event is not complete in a single session, the therapist teaches the individual various relaxation techniques to regain a sense of emotional equilibrium. In addition, the therapist also informs and prepares the individual about the possibility of experiencing disturbing images, thoughts, and emotions that may arise during the week as the individual continues to process the trauma.

Reevaluation

At the start of each new session, we will conduct a thorough reevaluation of your progress. Before subsequent sessions begin, the therapist re-evaluates the improvements made by the individual in the previous session. In addition, the therapist may examine the remaining cognitive, emotional, and somatic distress, and additional processing may be suggested if needed.

What Does EMDR Treat?

EMDR therapy can be used to treat a wide range of mental health conditions, especially those who have experienced traumatic events. Trauma can take many forms, such as physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, natural disasters, sudden loss of a loved one, emotional neglect, and combat experiences. In addition, even those who witnessed traumatic events and those experiencing stress-related symptoms may benefit from EMDR therapy.

What Can I Expect to Feel After an EMDR Session?

Individuals who undergo EMDR therapy sessions do not immediately experience relief or reduction of symptoms. Bilateral stimulation can trigger several memories that some individuals may continue to reflect on after the session. Some individuals may also feel unsettled for several days because of the distress brought on by traumatic memory recollection. During this phase, the therapist may recommend relaxation techniques to cope with the discomfort.

As the EMDR therapy progresses, individuals may feel gradual relief and less disturbing reactions caused by traumatic memories.

Discover EMDR Therapists at Liberty Home

When treating stress and trauma-related conditions, here at Liberty Home Clinic, we provide the highest quality care involving a comprehensive programme that suits the individual’s needs, preferences, and goals.

Although not everyone who experiences traumatic events develops post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other related stress disorders, if you happen to notice changes in your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours after directly experiencing or even witnessing a traumatic event, consider undergoing EMDR therapy with us.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do People with Substance Abuse Benefit from EMDR Therapy?

Yes, growing evidence from research studies supports the effectiveness of EMDR therapy for individuals suffering from substance use disorder (SUD). Typically, EMDR focuses on processing traumatic memories that contribute to the urge for substances.

Is EMDR Safe?

EMDR therapy is generally safe and is recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a treatment option for individuals with stress and trauma-related conditions. While some individuals may experience discomfort during the processing of traumatic memories, the therapist teaches them various tools to effectively deal with them. The distressing experiences that may be felt by the individual typically resolve as the treatment continues.

What is the Recovery Time From EMDR?

The exact duration of recovery from any condition using EMDR therapy largely depends on the severity of the symptoms, the responsiveness of the individual to treatment, and their overall commitment to therapy sessions. However, many individuals reported a significant improvement a few months after initiating treatment.