What is EMDR?

The mind often heals itself naturally, in the same way the body does. Much of this natural coping mechanism occurs during sleep, particularly during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. In 1987 Francine Shapiro developed EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing) by utilising this natural process to successfully treat PTSD. Similar to using a cast to aid the body back to recovery, EMDR assists the mind in healing back to recovery. There may be scars but you can gain your life back. 

EMDR utilises the natural healing ability of your body where processing helps you break through the emotional blocks that are keeping you from living an adaptive, emotionally healthy life.

EMDR can be described as an integrative psychotherapeutic approach consisting of cognitive (attention to negative and positive self-attributions, behavioural (targeting of present stimuli), psychodynamic (recognition of developmental issues), and somatic (attention to bodily sensations). With additional non-traditional elements of dual-focus attention and bilateral sensory stimulation.

Interventions are targeted through somatic, emotional and cognitive modalities. It is described as an adaptive information processing model that stimulates the information processing system to facilitate a more adaptive resolution of distressing material. 

What can EMDR help with?

An EMDR treatment plan is collaboratively developed between you and your therapist to accomplish your treatment goals. EMDR has proven to be an effective treatment for mental health issues such as:

• trauma, PTSD and cPTSD
• historic developmental attachment issues
• anxiety, stress and panic attacks
• depression, stress
• phobias and OCD
• sleep problems
• grief, loss and bereavement
• loss of confidence, self-esteem

Trauma survivors

Bessel Van Der Kolk describes in his book The Body Keeps the Score how trauma affects the brain, body and nervous system. As a result, the body may react in a host of illnesses, such as chronic pain, insomnia, depression, eating disorders or OCD. These are known as ‘surface’ symptoms defending against something intolerable locked and held in the body which may not always be conscious in the mind.  

Attachment trauma, particularly from an early age through to developmental years, may impact the central nervous system to react to stress and anxiety in such a way that the body and brain set off an alarm system, having connected to a historic memory (physical, emotional or psychological).

Psychoeducation is helpful at the start of your treatment plan to understand how the mind, body and neuroscience work as a ‘safety’ alarm to protect you but are no longer serving you well in your adult life. Tools and techniques are introduced to down-regulate your nervous system in order to remain within your window of tolerance and manage crisis overwhelm.   

How does EMDR work?

EMDR sessions usually take between 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the phase 4 processing of the target memory. During treatment your therapist facilitates your reprocessing of old memories, encouraging your own self-healing. This is known as adaptive information reprocessing where the memory adapts to a newly formatted memory that has less intensity and much less emotional charge attached.

EMDR eight-phased protocol treatment plan:

Phase 1 - A treatment plan is collaboratively developed between you and your therapist addressing any questions and setting expectations. 

Phase 2 - Grounding and stabilising skills are created e.g. a ‘safe place’ to use throughout your sessions.

Phase 3 - During the assessment, specific questions are asked about a particular disturbing memory to activate the trauma memory, then the negative thought about the self in relation to that memory and the desired adaptive resolution to that memory.

Phase 4 - Sets of rapid eye movement (EMs) using alternative bilateral stimulation are recreated, such as a bar of moving lights, if online therapy, or hand pulsators, if face-to-face therapy, are alternated with brief reports on your thoughts, images and feelings that arise during these intermittent sets of EMs.

You are encouraged to just allow the brain to work through the experience and continue processing until the past disturbing experience has been updated and adapted to a present neutral perspective. The memory changes in such a way it becomes desensitised and loses its intensity, and simply becomes a neutral past memory with no emotional charge felt towards the memory. 

Phase 5 - Integrates the installation of new insights and perspectives into your daily life. 

Phase 6 - A body scan works through any residual somatic feelings left over.

Phase 7 - Closes that target memory. 

Phase 8 - Re-evaluates any other associated memories that may also heal at the same time.

This linking of related memories can lead to a dramatic and rapid improvement in many aspects of your life. Leading to a more fulfilling life and improved relationships. better occupational functioning and overall improved mental health.