What Is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based therapy used to treat psychological trauma and a variety of other mental health challenges. It involves guiding a client to mindfully focus on a "stuck" memory or negative experience while simultaneously applying bilateral stimulation. Bilateral stimulation (BLS) refers to alternating, left-right, sensory input that activates both hemispheres of the brain. This can take the form of eye movements, physical tapping, or audio stimuli.
I’ve had some clients ask if EMDR is a form of hypnosis because of the left-right eye movement. It’s not. While hypnosis induces an altered or more suggestive mental state, EMDR does the opposite. Bilateral stimulation is a way of “revving the engine” of the brain so it can access and work through troubling material efficiently and thoroughly.
It’s thought to be similar to what happens during rapid eye movement (REM) dream sleep. Dreaming is one of the ways the brain organizes and integrates a person’s daily experiences as well as any other not-yet-resolved material. When dreaming isn’t enough, EMDR can help the brain process and integrate unresolved material from the past so that it doesn’t interfere with the present.
EMDR is a holistic therapy that begins with extensive psychological resourcing. During this phase of treatment, clients develop the ability to recognize and regulate intense emotions so they can access their distressing memories without becoming flooded or excessively overwhelmed. Once they are adequately resourced, clients begin desensitizing and reprocessing the unresolved information. In formal EMDR protocols, the reprocessing phase continues until a more accurate and empowering truth takes the place of old, inaccurate, trauma-driven misperceptions. This truth and the relief it brings often spontaneously present in the mind during reprocessing.
This therapy was initially popularized by its effectiveness in treating acute trauma (e.g. military combat, natural disasters, and other life-threatening events) and later complex trauma (e.g. recurring childhood abuse or neglect). Since then, EMDR and bilateral stimulation have been found effective with a number of other psychological concerns, including generalized anxiety, phobias, depression, performance anxiety, and persistent negative self-worth.
There are some cautions with EMDR. For example, if an individual isn’t adequately resourced to tolerate recalling a traumatic memory, attempting to interact with it may result in a stress reaction so intense that it actually reinforces the trauma. Also, even with the most resourced clients, the brain is doing significant neurological work during EMDR, causing it to feel somewhat tired in the hours that follow.
In summary, EMDR is a well-researched and effective form of psychotherapy that can help individuals overcome the negative effects of distressing memories and improve their mental health. It can be an effective tool for anyone struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges. If you’re interested EMDR, it's important to consult with a trained EMDR provider (such as those on Redeem Counseling staff).
