You’ve probably heard the term EMDR therapy thrown around, whether on a social media page or from a friend who swears it changed their life. But the name itself doesn’t give much away. It’s just another abbreviation in the list of many seen in the therapy world.
EMDR has a reputation for being a mysterious, alternative approach to healing. The reality is, this method is a lot more straightforward than the name suggests, with science backing up its effectiveness. Here’s what you need to know.
What Exactly is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It was originally developed in the 1980s to treat those suffering from PTSD. Since then, it has expanded to those processing trauma of all kinds.
The basis of EMDR is that trauma interferes with the brain’s natural processing of memories. Our brains are resilient. They naturally file away memories and promote healing when something negative happens. When something overwhelming happens, that ability to process gets stuck. Those traumatic memories stay active, continuing to trigger stress responses and send you right back into that moment. A single sound or smell can teleport you to a place you’d like to leave behind.
EMDR works by helping your brain close the loop. Using bilateral stimulation, which typically consists of guided side-to-side eye movements, EMDR mimics your brain’s natural recovery that occurs during REM sleep cycles. As you’re guided through memory processing, the negative charge is replaced with a more positive association. Slowly, your target memory loses its grip.
What Does an EMDR Session Look Like?
Since EMDR is an alternative method to talk therapies, many people assume it is going to feel weird. EMDR can bring up a lot of emotions and physical sensations, but it doesn’t involve going into an in-depth conversation or reliving every last detail. Think of it as watching a movie from a distance.
Treatment with EMDR involves eight phases:
- History and planning, where you build a rapport with the therapist
- Preparation, where you receive education about the plan and learn tools to help feel grounded when needed
- Assessment, where you identify the target memory
- Desensitization, where the bilateral stimulation is initiated
- Installation, where the positive belief replaces the old negative one
- Body scanning, where you check in with yourself to see any remaining sensations/tension
- Closure, ensuring you’re in a calm state before ending your session
- Reevaluation, where you assess any need for further reprocessing
The session moves at your pace, allowing you to feel comfortable and in control the whole time.
What is EMDR For?
EMDR was built for trauma, but it extends to people with an array of mental health challenges. It can be beneficial for teens dealing with big emotions coming from experiences like breakups or struggling to fit in. It can help reduce anxiety that has no clear source or reduce fear related to certain phobias.
EMDR is also a strong option for those who have tried talk therapy but felt like it wasn’t as effective as it needed to be. Sometimes you can understand something logically, but your body has its own agenda. EMDR can dive into that space where words aren’t always capable of reaching.
Ready to Learn More?
If EMDR has piqued your attention, that curiosity is worth following. This approach may be exactly the type of support you have been looking for. We work with teens and young adults who are ready to start feeling better, even when they’re unsure where to begin.
You don’t have to have it all figured out to take the first step in your healing journey. Nor do you have to travel this path alone. Contact us to learn more about our EMDR therapy services and schedule a free consultation.