Understanding EMDR Therapy: A Pathway to Healing
What is trauma?
Trauma is any disturbing experience that results in significant fear, helplessness, dissociation, confusion, or other disruptive feelings intense enough to have a lasting negative impact on a person’s attitudes, behavior, and other aspects of functioning (American Psychological Association, n.d.). It can be caused by a deeply disturbing or distressing experience, such as war, accidents, natural disasters, and abuse, for example, or from a series of painful moments. Whether it originates from a single event or a series of events, trauma often affects us in ways that are hard to see, or even talk about. Many people find themselves struggling with intense emotions or reactions that seem out of their control. Trauma is different for everyone. The path to healing can feel overwhelming, and the weight of the past can make everyday life challenging.
What happens when you are traumatized?
Most of the time, our bodies routinely manage new information and experiences without our awareness. However, when something out of the ordinary happens, psychological problems can occur when our internal brain signals become disrupted (van der Kolk, 2014, p. 67). Instead of managing the new information from the traumatic event, the disturbing experience may stay unprocessed or frozen in our brains. These unprocessed memories and feelings are stored in the limbic system of our brains in a “raw” or emotional form, rather than in a narrative or “story” mode. The traumatic memories stored in our limbic system can be repeatedly triggered when we experience or perceive events as being similar to the original trauma. Often, the memory itself has been forgotten, but anxiety, panic, anger, depression, and despair may have a lasting presence if trauma is untreated (British Columbia Trauma Services, n.d.).
What is EMDR therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR) was developed by Francine Shapiro in 1987 to treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, which can occur following a traumatic event. EMDR utilizes the body’s natural healing process by mimicking eye movements that naturally occur in REM sleep. The therapist mimics the eye movements occurring in REM sleep by leading the client through a sequence of back-and-forth eye movements, or bilateral stimulation. Other forms of bilateral stimulation include tapping back-and-forth, or audio bouncing from one ear to the other. The sequencing is short, and the client is asked to report back on the experience between each set of bilateral stimulation. With the repeated sets of bilateral stimulation, the traumatic memory tends to neutralize, and the painful impact lessens. EMDR therapy works in themes, therefore associated memories may also heal at the same time. EMDR therapy reprocesses memories quickly, with clients seeing a reduction in their disturbance level in just one or two sessions (British Columbia Trauma Services, n.d.).
Who can benefit from EMDR therapy?
Individuals struggling with:
· Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) · Anxiety and panic attacks · Depression · Anger · Grief and loss · Substance use disorders/addictions · Pain · Performance anxiety · Phobias · Sleep problems · OCD · Feelings of worthlessness and low self-esteem
Evidence and effectiveness
EMDR therapy has been validated through rigorous research, making it the most thoroughly researched method used in the treatment of trauma. The American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, and the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, among others recognize EMDR therapy as an effective treatment for trauma (EMDR International Association, n.d.).
Things to consider
It’s important to remember that struggling with trauma is not a sign of weakness. It’s a human response to negative events that were too much to handle at the time. If you or someone you love is living with the effects of trauma, know that you are not alone. EMDR therapy may be an option for you.
Get started today
If you’re ready to take the next step, we’re here to help. Contact us through our website or call us at
(517) 322-3050 to get started.
References:
American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Trauma. https://www.apa.org/topics/trauma
British Columbia Trauma Services. (n.d.). EMDR – Client Handout. [Handout]. Retrieved from https://www.bcts.ca/resources/emdr-client-handout.pdf
EMDR International Association. (n.d.). EMDR therapy. https://www.emdria.org/emdr-therapy/
van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Viking.