EMDR 

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing

• EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing; this technique was discovered in 1987 when a physician named Shapiro began experimenting with eye movements similar to what we experience naturally during REM sleep.
• This approach is founded on the Adaptive Information Processing Model which suggests that we make sense of new experiences by integrating and connecting them to related information already stored. Whatever information is useful is stored in the right place with appropriate emotions, and will be there to guide us in the future.
• Difficulties can ensue when overwhelming experiences are not integrated and stored properly. Painful memories often hold their emotional power for years and can be triggered by sights, smells, touch or sounds, usually at an unconscious level.
• Whenever we experience reactions that seem disproportionate to the situation, we are likely “flashing back” to an earlier painful memory. EMDR targets are chosen by whatever is most troubling to the client in daily life, such as “I’m always screaming at my kids” or “I’m too anxious to join my friends when they go out”. Once the target is chosen, the bilateral stimulation is applied and the client is simply asked to hold the images and feelings from the problematic situation in their mind. While going through the EMDR work, the client often recalls something from the past that is linked to the present behavior. Other times, it’s just necessary to work through a very painful event that has been repressed. The goal is that as the client works through a memory with EMDR, the brain is rewired to react differently in the future
• Researchers believe that EMDR works because having something else happening while recalling an upsetting event creates a diversion for the brain. This type of intentional distraction makes recalling hurt more tolerable and is called “taxing the working memory”. Although there are many ways this can be accomplished, the most researched methods are by having the client hold “tappers” that emit gentle buzzing sensations, wearing headphones that play alternating sounds, or using eye movements
• While experiencing the bilateral sensations, the client “holds” the images, sounds, and feelings associated with the upsetting target memory already chosen with the therapist.
• It’s pretty common knowledge that situations like accidents, assaults, illnesses and devastating loss can result in PTSD. What we are learning now is that any situation that is overwhelming, (especially for a child!) can also cause PTSD. Children who are repeatedly punished for expressing anger, hurt or sadness learn to “armor up” and hold their feelings in. Even the very best parents make mistakes, often unintentionally
• It is fairly typical for us to dismiss the significance of past events and think that we just need to move on. We might wonder why something from our childhood bothers us so much more than our siblings, which may contribute to feelings of being weak or insecure. It is entirely possible for two people to go through the same experience, and one is able to process and deal with it, while the other carries the experience in “raw” form. While temperament may play a role, there are many other conditions such as being ill, weary, sleep-deprived or being in a weakened state that made things harder. In addition, when something happens to us when we are young, we typically believe that since we are the center of our little worlds, everything is about us.
• While EMDR was originally mainly used to treat post traumatic memories after the Vietnam War, we now know that EMDR is also effective for many more conditions, including: anxiety, depression, panic attacks, anger, guilt, pain management, crises, transitions, addictions, phobias, and difficulty with decision-making. EMDR is also effective in dealing with exam anxiety, fear of public speaking, and athletes, actors, or musicians with performance anxiety
• So what are the risks? It’s probable that you will experience a variety of emotions, although everyone’s journey is unique. I will ensure that you are in a good place emotionally before you leave the session. You will likely feel tired afterwards, and it would be optimal if you were able to go home and rest. You will be asked to refrain from using alcohol or recreational drugs for the rest of the day in order to allow your processing to continue undisturbed. It’s possible that you may recall things or have dreams that are related to the material being processed.
• If you are interested in moving forward with EMDR, you could start with a single session, or if you have a lot to deal with, you might consider an “EMDR Intensive” which includes four to six extended sessions, often booked as back to back all day sessions
• In conclusion, it’s important that you know that only certified practitioners such as registered psychologists who have taken extensive training and supervision are qualified to provide EMDR treatment. EMDR has been extensively researched and is the gold standard protocol for dealing with trauma