WHAT IS EMDR?

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful method of psychotherapy.  I use EMDR as a tool to relieve many types of psychologically distressing conditions including:

COUNSELING WITH EMDR

During EMDR, the client calls to mind the disturbing issue or event, what was seen, felt, heard, thought, etc. and what thoughts and beliefs are currently held about that event.  The therapist facilitates the directional movement of the eye while the client focuses on the disturbing material, and the client just notices what ever comes to mind without making any effort to control direction or content.  Each person will process information uniquely, based on personal experiences and values.  Sets of eye movements are continued until the memory becomes less disturbing and is associated with positive thoughts and beliefs about one’s self; for example, I did the best I could.  During EMDR the client may experience intense emotions, but by the end of the session, most people report a great reduction in the level of disturbance.

IS EMDR THE RIGHT TREATMENT APPROACH FOR YOU?

For treatment to be successful, the client must be able to handle whatever emotions - despair, helplessness, vulnerability, and so forth - are associated to the distressing memory.  Images, thoughts, emotions and physical sensations my be brought to consciousness as EMDR processes the information.  The emotions and physical sensations can be almost as strong as they were during the original event.  The hallmark of EMDR treatment is accelerated processing, with its potential for rapid uncovering of previously unsuspected material, some of which may be
extremely distressing.  Therefore, client readiness should be carefully assessed.

Clients with severe abuse background should be given careful consideration before proceeding with treatment because they generally have difficulty around issues of safety and trust.  Client should be able to withstand and deal with the high levels of emotional disturbance that may arise during or between EMDR sessions.  Because the clinician will not be able to predict level of between-session disturbance, the client must be able to use self-control techniques to regulate discomfort. 

EMDR is not indicated for individuals who:

• Have difficulty managing high levels of stress or anxiety
• Are taking Valium, Xanax or other sedative medication
• Need concurrent adjustment of medication
• Addicts/Alcoholics in recovery may trigger relapse
• Are currently in a abusive relationship
• Diagnosed with a dissociative disorder
• Experience uncontrolled flashbacks
• Are participating in self mutilation
• Are actively abusing a substance
• Have a heart condition
• Have an eye condition
• Are pregnant

HOW WAS EMDR DEVELOPED?

In 1987, psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro made a chance observation that eye movements can reduce the intensity of disturbing thoughts under certain conditions.  Dr. Shapiro studied this effect scientifically, and in a 1989 issue of the Journal of Traumatic Stress, she reported success using EMDR to treat victims of trauma.  Since then, EMDR has developed and evolved through the contributions of therapists and researchers all over the world.  Today, EMDR is a set of standardized protocols that incorporates elements from many different treatment approaches.

HOW DOES EMDR WORK?

No one knows how any form of psychotherapy works neurobiologically or in the brain.  However, we do know that when a person is very upset, their brain cannot process information as it does ordinarily.  One moment becomes frozen in time, and remembering a trauma may feel as bad as going through it the first time because the images, sounds, smells, and feeling haven’t changed.  Such memories have a lasting negative effect that interferes with the way a person sees the world and the way they relate to other people.

EMDR seems to have a direct effect on the way that the brain processes information.  Normal information processing is resumed, so following a successful EMDR session, a person no longer relives the images, sounds, and feelings when the event is brought to mind.  You still remember what happened, but it is less upsetting.  May types of therapy have similar goals.  However, EMDR appears to be similar to what occurs naturally during dreaming or REM (rapid eye movement) Therefore, EMDR can be thought of as a psychologically based therapy that helps a person see disturbing material in a new and less distressing way.

BUT DOES EMDR REALLY WORK?

Approximately 20 controlled studies have investigated the effects of EMDR.  These studies have consistently found that EMDR effectively decreases/eliminates the symptoms of past traumatic stress for the majority of clients.  Clients often report improvement in other associated
symptoms such as anxiety.  The current treatment guidelines of the American Psychiatric Association and the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies designates EMDR as an effective Treatment for post traumatic stress.  EMDR was also found effective by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense, the United Kingdom Department of Health , the Israeli national “Council for Mental Health, and many other international health and governmental agencies. For further references, a bibliography of research my be found through
EMDR International Association’s web site: www.emdria.org.