EMDR

If a person has disturbing life experiences, that often results in emotional distress and other symptoms. EMDR is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from those symptoms and emotional distress. EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. This therapy, as administered by the counselors at California Christian Counseling, uses eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation as part of the healing process.

EMDR is different from other trauma-focused treatments as it isn’t necessary for the client to be exposed to distressing memories for extended periods of time, nor do they have to endure making detailed descriptions of the traumatic event. Additionally, EMDR doesn’t require taking steps such as challenging or disrupting dysfunctional beliefs the client may possess. It also does not have components such as journaling as part of homework exercises.

EMDR is mostly known as being an effective therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, as EMDR therapy doesn’t require one to talk in detail about distressing issues, EMDR is also helpful and effective in addressing a wide range of mental health conditions that affect a broad demographic that includes adolescents, teenagers, and adults of all ages. EMDR is effective in reducing or eliminating other disorders that stem from a distressing experience.

Some of the mental health conditions that are treated using EMDR therapy include the following:

• Trauma disorders, such as acute stress disorder and adjustment disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The American Psychological Association (APA) says that EMDR treatment is conditionally recommended for the treatment of PTSD. However, used in conjunction with cognitive therapy and exposure therapy, it is one of the therapies that’s helpful for addressing PTSD.
• Eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosaand binge-eating disorder.
• Gender dysphoria
• Anxiety disorders like panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, phobias, and social anxiety/phobia.
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), body dysmorphic disorder and hoarding disorder.
• Personality disorders such as borderline personality disorder, avoidant personality disorder, and antisocial personality disorder.
• Depressive disorders such as major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, and illness-related depression.

Dissociative disorders such as dissociative identity disorder, amnesia, and depersonalization disorder.

EMDR is a therapy that relies on the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model. This is a theory pioneered by Francine Shapiro, PhD, about how our brains store memories. This theory says that our brains store our regular and traumatic memories differently. Traumatic experiences and the memories attached to them are like a wound that can’t heal until it is cleaned and dressed properly. That is what EMDR does for one’s memories.

EMDR uses a structured eight-phase approach. Sessions of EMDR therapy can be conducted on consecutive days, and the work of processing a specific memory is typically concluded within one to three sessions. The therapy as a whole is delivered one to two times per week for a total of six to twelve sessions, but fewer sessions can be just as effective for some individuals.

In EMDR therapy, memories of a traumatic event are accessed in very specific ways. The therapist will ask the client to hold aspects of a thought or event in mind. The therapist will move their hand back and forth in their client’s field of vision, and this causes internal associations to rise and for the client to begin processing any associated disturbing memories or unpleasant feelings. Combining eye movements and guided instructions from a trained therapist allows one to access and reprocess those memories effectively.

The direct focus on traumatic memories and reprocessing of those emotions changes the way that memory is stored in the brain, with the effect of reducing and eliminating the problematic symptoms associated with the traumatic memory. When memories are reprocessed, recalling certain events won’t feel overwhelming, and you can cope better with the feelings that memory evokes.

EMDR is an effective treatment for trauma, and several studies conducted have indicated this efficacy. EMDR focuses on treatment for distressing memories and related pathologies, and as such it is most effective in treating anxiety disorders that follow a traumatic experience, and less effective for addressing disorders that have an unknown onset.

Getting Help

Experiencing trauma and dealing with distressing memories can make life difficult. Using therapies such as EMDR in combination with cognitive behavioral and other therapies, can help. The counselors at California Christian Counseling can cultivate a safe space for you to process your trauma, learn how to cope with triggers, and reduce stress resulting from a traumatic experience.

If this is something you could benefit from, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the reception team at California Christian Counseling to schedule an appointment and begin your journey toward wholeness and peace.