EMDR Therapy

What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR stands for 'Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing,' which is an abbreviation of the phrase's English equivalent. EMDR Therapy was discovered by Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1987 and is a trauma-focused therapy. It is used to treat individuals who have experienced distressing events in the past and to heal the symptoms caused by these experiences. These distressing memories are reprocessed through bilateral stimulation, which can be achieved through eye movements, auditory stimuli, and/or tactile sensations.

What is Bilateral Stimulation in EMDR Therapy? How is it Done?

According to the EMDR approach, various disorders, problems, negative emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and personality traits are based on unprocessed, isolated memories that disrupt functionality and harmony. To make these memories functional, bilateral stimulation is provided to the client. By moving the eyes from right to left or left to right, bilateral stimulation is applied to the brain's hemispheres. Similarly, this can be achieved by using sounds and/or vibrations through headphones or hands.

Can EMDR Therapy Reduce the Impact of Traumatic Events You Have Experienced?

People generally want to forget about the negative events they have experienced. However, when you accept the unpleasant events that have happened to you and learn from them, you become stronger. EMDR Therapy presents this strongest aspect of yourself to you. When you find the courage to confront your past experiences, no matter how painful they may be, a whole new door opens. It starts a process of self-discovery, accompanied by your emotions, thoughts, and bodily sensations. As a result of this process, the memories that have become dysfunctional transform into functional ones, and the memories that trouble you lose their power. Not only do the negative memories lose their impact, but you also prevent potential problems you may encounter in the future. This reminds me of Ernest Hemingway's quote: 'The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.’

Does EMDR Therapy Erase Bad Memories?

Regardless of how bad memories may be, therapists know that these memories are a part of the client. They accept and respect these memories. EMDR Therapy is based on a neurobiological foundation and helps process unhealthy memories in a healthy way. It reduces or eliminates the negative connections with traumatic memories, making these memories no longer traumatic. This is much more valuable than erasing memories because it is all of our experiences that make us who we are.

Similar to the Japanese art of repairing pottery with gold, EMDR Therapy is like the gold dust that joins the dysfunctional memory pieces together. For centuries, the Japanese have repaired broken porcelain bowls with gold dust. The more cracked lines and imperfections a porcelain bowl has, the more valuable it becomes to collectors. The philosophy underlying this tradition is that damage and suffering lead to learning lessons and creating cherished memories. EMDR Therapy can be thought of as the gold dust that brings together the broken memory pieces, allowing these memories to gain a functional perspective.

How Many Sessions Does EMDR Therapy Take?

EMDR Therapy usually consists of 5 to 10 sessions. The reduction of the effects of trauma may take 1 to 3 sessions. In cases of multiple traumas, the duration may be slightly longer. While working on a specific trauma with EMDR Therapy, the distressing effects of another traumatic memory may also be reduced unintentionally. The session duration varies depending on whether the trauma is related to a single event or a more complex situation, as well as the emotional readiness of the client to engage in the process.

In Which Areas is EMDR Therapy Used?

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes EMDR as the preferred treatment method for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Studies show that EMDR Therapy achieves faster recovery compared to other trauma treatments. In addition to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, research reveals that as the intensity, frequency, and persistence of negative past memories increase, current life dysfunction, psychological disorders, and health problems also increase. Therefore, EMDR Therapy is effective in the following psychological disorders:

• Phobias
• Panic Attacks
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• Eating Disorders
• Depression
• Bipolar Mood Disorder
• Personality Disorders
• Pathological and Traumatic Grief
• Migraine and Fibromyalgia
• Addiction
• Attachment Issues
• Post-Separation Adjustment Problems
• Performance Anxiety
• Self-Esteem

Who Can Practice EMDR Therapy?

EMDR therapy requires specialized expertise. To practice EMDR therapy, one must complete EMDR training and supervision. Becoming an EMDR therapist requires completing both Level 1 and Level 2 training and supervision.

How is EMDR Therapy Applied?

EMDR Therapy follows an 8-phase and three-pronged protocol. The three-pronged protocol focuses on past, present, and future experiences. The aim of EMDR is to reprocess past memories to achieve desensitization. It also helps clients develop positive beliefs and emotions for facing similar problems in the future. Clients are expected to demonstrate behaviors guided by the development of positive beliefs and emotions.

In Phase 1, the client's past is assessed.

In Phase 2, the client is informed about EMDR and prepared for processing.

In Phase 3, the therapist helps the client identify the distressing memory to target and have them describe the current negative belief and feelings related to this memory, along with the physical sensations and location.

In Phase 4, desensitization begins. The therapist asks the client to focus on the target memory while providing bilateral stimulation. After each set of stimulation, the client is asked to report back any associations that come to mind. The process continues until the memory becomes less distressing and a positive belief is installed between the negative feelings and the positive belief.

In Phase 5, the therapist installs a positive belief for the client.

In Phase 6, the client scans their body, and if there is any remaining distressing body sensation, it is processed.

In Phase 7, the processing continues until the connection is made between the client's positive beliefs and their distressing memory.

In Phase 8, the therapist assesses the results of the previous session, checks whether the positive results have been installed, and evaluates new data obtained from the client. Based on these evaluations, the decision to continue or terminate the processing is made. If processing is not complete, the therapist may begin to work on other memories.

Upon completing the reprocessing of unresolved memories from the past and recent times, the significant reduction of current distressing symptoms can be observed.

Is the Effectiveness of EMDR Therapy Proven?

According to over 30 randomized controlled studies conducted in 2019, EMDR Therapy has been shown to effectively reduce or eliminate trauma-related stress symptoms in the majority of clients (de Jongh et al., 2019). It has also been observed to reduce symptoms commonly associated with psychological problems, such as anxiety.

EMDR has been acknowledged as an effective therapy by numerous international health and governmental organizations. Some of these include:

• World Health Organization (WHO)
• American Psychiatric Association
• International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
• United States Department of Veterans Affairs
• United States Department of Defense
• United Kingdom Department of Health
• National Israel Mental Health Board"