Stress■ Anxiety ■ Job Related PTSD ■ Accidents ■ Sexual Abuse ■ Violence

In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.    - Albert Einstein

What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) was developed as a psychotherapeutic model to assist individuals to “let go” of their disturbing and distressing memories. This involves using elements of various psychotherapeutic therapies combined with bi-lateral stimulation (that is stimulating alternate sides of the brain through sight, sound, or touch) and by using a structured 8-step protocol. This is a very non-intrusive method because the client does not have to divulge the details of their trauma for this treatment to be effective.

When is EMDR useful?

EMDR has been tested and researched, and found to be an effective evidence-based treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). EMDR is now included in the American Psychiatric Association's Practice Guidelines for Treatment of Patients with Acute Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (2004).

Symptoms such as flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and strong painful emotions can be resolved and reprocessed. Traumatic memories do not have to be re-lived over and over and over again. There is light at the end of the tunnel. EMDR also alleviates the impact of other trauma-based issues such as anxiety, and relationship violence. EMDR is effective for grief, childhood sexual abuse, and more.

Why is EMDR Effective?

In the usual course of events, our brains work to process our memories. Some memories are discarded, and others are kept and filed away. The brain is a complicated piece of work. We do not know exactly what occurs when we are traumatized but it seems like our memories become frozen in time. EMDR is successful because stuck and painful memories can now be resolved, reprocessed and filed away just like our other memories. Traumatic memories move from being Overwhelming to Manageable!

EMDR allows the mind, and body to work in tandem to help the person feel whole again. tores balance and quality of life to a wounded client by not only working on the past hurts, changes current perceptions but also pays attention to future programming so that the client can “respond” rather than “re-act” to events in the future.

In the case of childhood sexual abuse and relationship violence, the survivor’s defense system “re-acted” in the best way possible given the resources they had at the time. However, the survivor does not need to be on hyper-alert any more. EMDR allows the survivor to heal and move forward with their life. Depending on the circumstances, EMDR can be used as an adjunct to other therapies, or on its own.   

How does Lynda use EMDR in her practice?

The term  EMDR was coined because it was first believed that visual stimulation was necessary to resolve a trauma. However, EMDR involves bi-lateral stimulation using sight, sound or touch. I typically work with sound, although it does not matter what sense is used to stimulate the brain and promote the information reprocessing. In the majority of cases the effects of EMDR are both rapid and long lasting.

What happens in a Session?

An individual likes what they hear about EMDR and chooses to become a client. The therapist assesses client readiness and appropriateness for EMDR. If the Therapist and client agree to proceed, the client learns techniques that are described as “client resources” so that the client develops their own resources to support them in session and throughout therapy. The next phase involves client and therapist discussing and collaborating on goals for treatment. In session, the client is introduced to bi-lateral stimulation.

Lynda uses sound rather than eye stimulation. The client wears headphones and hears a beeping sound in one ear, and then the next. The alternating beeping sounds are played for the client for periods of 20-30 second frames while the client recalls the past trauma that has not been processed correctly. The client feeds back the feelings, thoughts and beliefs they have about the event.

Over the course of the session the client experiences less and less distress while they notice their memory of the trauma. Eventually the client is encouraged to recall the event while experiencing more positive feelings. Rather than self blame, for example, the client can accept that they did all they could do in a given situation. In addition, and if appropriate, the client will look to the future and see themselves handling a similar challenge very differently. The client is empowered to think and feel differently and so is empowered to experience a future challenge very differently.

How Long does EMDR take to clear a Trauma?

The number of sessions depends on the client’s personal experience of the trauma, it’s impact on their functioning, their internal and external resources, and the complexity of the trauma. EMDR is a process not a technique. Processing is not merely talking about the trauma but allowing the information to be received and fully integrated into the memory system.

There are 8 Phases of treatment

Phase I and II

The first few EMDR sessions (typically 3 to 5 sessions) are used for information gathering and assessment. These sessions are typically one clinical hour. The client sets goals and develops resources for EMDR.

Phase III to VIII

The EMDR sessions using sound combined with the 8-step protocol takes from 60 to 90 minutes. The number of sessions depends on the following variables: the impact of the trauma/s on daily functioning, the complexity of the issue/s and number of traumas experienced. To give a rough estimate, clearing a trauma can take from 3 to 12 sessions after Phase I and II are complete.