EMDR therapy: The Breakthrough Method for Overcoming PTSD

If you have experienced a traumatic event in your life, such as abuse, violence, accident, or loss, you may still suffer from its effects long after it happened. You may have nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety, depression, or other symptoms that interfere with your daily functioning and well-being. You may feel stuck in the past and unable to move forward.

If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Many people struggle with the aftermath of trauma and find it hard to heal. However, there is hope. There is a therapy method that can help you process your traumatic memories and free yourself from their negative impact. It is called EMDR therapy, and it stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.

What is EMDR therapy?

EMDR therapy is a psychotherapy technique that helps you heal from trauma or other distressing life experiences. It involves moving your eyes while processing traumatic memories and changing the emotions, thoughts, or behaviors related to them (Shapiro, 2018).

EMDR therapy is based on the idea that your brain has a natural ability to heal from psychological wounds, just like your body can heal from physical wounds. However, sometimes this healing process gets blocked or disrupted by the impact of a disturbing event, and the emotional wound festers and causes pain (EMDR Institute, 2021). EMDR therapy helps you remove the block and resume the healing process.

How does EMDR therapy work?

EMDR therapy consists of eight phases, which are usually spread over several sessions. The first phase involves taking your history and identifying the target memories that need to be processed. The second phase involves preparing you for the treatment and teaching you some coping skills. The third phase involves assessing the target memory and identifying the negative belief, emotion, and body sensation associated with it. The fourth phase involves desensitizing the target memory by having you focus on it while following the therapist’s finger or a light moving from side to side. This is called bilateral stimulation, and it helps you process the memory and reduce its emotional charge. The fifth phase involves installing a positive belief that replaces the negative one. The sixth phase involves scanning your body for any residual tension or discomfort. The seventh phase involves debriefing and closing the session. The eighth phase involves reviewing the progress and addressing any new memories that may have emerged (EMDR International Association, 2021).

What are the benefits of EMDR therapy?

EMDR therapy has been proven to be effective in treating a variety of mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, phobias, addiction, and more (Chen et al., 2014). EMDR therapy can help you:

Reduce or eliminate the distress caused by traumatic memories
Replace negative beliefs with positive ones
Enhance your self-esteem and confidence
Improve your relationships and social skills
Increase your motivation and productivity
Enjoy a better quality of life

How can I get started with EMDR therapy?

If you are interested in trying EMDR therapy, you need to find a qualified and experienced therapist who is trained in this method. You can search for an EMDR therapist near you on the EMDR International Association website or the EMDR Institute website. You can also ask your doctor, counselor, or friend for a referral.

Before you start EMDR therapy, make sure you have a good rapport with your therapist and that you feel comfortable and safe with them. EMDR therapy can be intense and emotional, so you need to trust your therapist and follow their guidance. You also need to be committed to the process and willing to face your painful memories and feelings. EMDR therapy is not a quick fix, but it can help you achieve lasting results.

If you are ready to heal from your trauma and reclaim your life, EMDR therapy may be the right choice for you. Contact an EMDR therapist today and take the first step towards your recovery. You deserve it.

By Frank Guastella, LCSW

References

Chen, Y. R., Hung, K. W., Tsai, J. C., Chu, H., Chung, M. H., Chen, S. R., … & Chou, K. R. (2014). Efficacy of eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing for patients with posttraumatic-stress disorder: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PloS one, 9(8), e103676.

EMDR Institute. (2021). What is EMDR? Retrieved from https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/

EMDR International Association. (2021). What is EMDR therapy? Retrieved from https://www.emdria.org/page/what_is_emdr_therapy

Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy: Basic principles, protocols, and procedures. Guilford Publications.