EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a type of psychotherapy that
equips people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences. As EMDR has gained an increase in popularity recently, many prospective clients inquire what exactly EMDR is, what it consists of, and if they would be a good fit for the type of therapy. Did you know that the Liz Morrison Therapy practice has a trained and certified EMDR clinician? Therapist Rachel Maizel shares the below information about EMDR and if it is right for you.
What is EMDR?
Dr Francine Shapiro invented EMDR in 1987 with the intention to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). EMDR is a therapy that encourages the patient to briefly focus on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements), which is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories.
EMDR vs Traditional Talk Therapy
More traditional modalities of talk therapy include the strategies of meeting clients where they are at, building on their strengths, problem solving, identifying maladaptive thinking to reduce problematic behaviors, and uncovering unconscious material. Unlike these other treatments that focus on directly altering emotions, thoughts and responses, EMDR therapy focuses directly on the memory, and is intended to change the way that the memory is stored in the brain, thus reducing and eliminating the problematic symptoms.
Phases of EMDR
EMDR is also different from other forms of psychotherapy because there are phases. EMDR has a structured eight phase approach that consists of:
● Phase 1: History-taking
○ In addition to getting a full history and appropriate intake assessment, the
therapist and client work together to identify target memories for treatment.
Target memories include past memories, current triggers, and future goals.
● Phase 2: Preparing the client
○ The therapist introduces the client to the procedures and components of EMDR,
including bilateral simulation, as well as leading client through different coping
resources such as calm and safe places.
● Phase 3: Assessing the target memory
○ This phase includes activating the memory being targeted in the session, as well
as identifying the areas of impact that this memory has such as the image,
cognition, affect and body sensation.
● Phases 4-7: Processing the memory to adaptive resolution
○ Includes desensitization, which is where the client focuses on the memory, while
engaging in eye movements or other BLS and reports on what comes up.
○ Instillation which works on reframing the memory to strengthen a positive
cognition.
○ Body scan which includes the client observing their physical response to the
memory reprocessing.
● Phase 8: Evaluating treatment results
○ Client and clinician evaluate the effectiveness of the sessions, as well as identify
clients current psychological state.
Am I a good fit for EMDR?
EMDR therapy may be a good fit for you if you have effective coping skills and emotional
support systems., EMDR therapy can be quite intense in the sense that it requires recounting of an extremely distressing and traumatic memory. Oftentimes in between EMDR sessions many emotions can begin to flood, and if one does not have adequate coping skills, it may be detrimental to the progress of EMDR and your overall well being.
Before Rachel begins the EMDR process with clients, she screens to ensure that the client has adequate coping skills and tools to process emotions. Oftentimes prior therapy helps with developing this.
If you are interested in learning more about EMDR and exploring this type of therapy, please email Liz@LizMorrisonTherapy.com and ask for an initial consultation with therapist Rachel Maizel.