EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a type of therapy discovered by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the 1980’s. Dr. Shapiro found that by using back and forth eye movements that she could help people heal from the symptoms and distress that resulted from disturbing past experiences. She first used her theory to help many Vietnam War veterans heal from their experiences before expanding her work to many other forms of trauma. She found her new therapy to be so effective that she soon began training others in her methods so that they could help their own clients. Today, EMDR has proven to be one of the most effective forms of treatment for PTSD by the American Psychiatric Association, World Health Organization, and the US Department of Defense.

EMDR is an 8-phase treatment that should only be conducted by trained clinicians. The 1st phase is the history taking phase where the clinician gathers certain information about the client. The 2nd phase (can often be the longest phase of the treatment) involves preparing the client for the processing phase of treatment by building resources, or coping skills, to manage the information that will be processed. Phase 3-6 are where the client and clinician determine the target memory and negative beliefs to be processed followed by the actual processing of the memory. Phases 7 and 8 involve closing out the session and re-opening the memory in the next session.

EMDR makes use of a concept called bilateral stimulation. Bilateral stimulation involves movements that activate both sides of the brain alternately. The left side of the brain controls the right side of the body and vice versa so when the eyes move to the right or tapping is felt on the right side of the body, the left side of the brain is active. This bilateral movement occurs naturally while we are dreaming in our sleep (rapid eye movements or REM) and this is when the brain processes memories and stories of the day. Bilateral stimulation can be achieved by the client following the therapists fingers or a light bar back and forth across their field of vision with their eyes, tapping alternately on their body, hearing tones on alternate sides of the head, or even walking. The idea is that if the client uses this bilateral stimulation while alert and thinking about the memory and sensations they experienced during their trauma, the brain will begin to process and release the trauma that has been stored improperly in the brain. It is not necessary for the client to talk during the processing and many clients find this to be a relief.

I find EMDR to be very effective for many past disturbing experiences. The experience does not have to be necessarily “traumatic” for EMDR to be effective. Many of the symptoms experienced in mental health disorders can be connected to past experiences in our lives and EMDR can help the brain store those memories properly so the brain can can heal itself and move towards the future.

I encourage you to watch the following videos on EMDR that I often share with clients to help increase your understanding of the treatment.

Inner World: EMDR Therapy

Introduction to EMDR Therapy

How EMDR Works

Here are websites where you can read more on EMDR treatment.

What is EMDR?

EMDR Consulting- What is EMDR?

If you are interested in learning more about how EMDR can help you manage past disturbing experiences, please click here to schedule your free 15-minute consultation to learn how I can help you in the next step of your journey.