EMDR Therapy Near Me

“The past affects the present even without our being aware of it.”
― Francine Shapiro

Have you been in talk therapy for years and feel like something is missing? You’re looking for hope after struggling for so long. Maybe you’re new to therapy and wanting to make sure you make the right choice for your specific experience or you’ve tried different therapists and therapeutic modalities and they just haven’t felt right. Whatever the case, I hope this blog offers the insight and clarity you’re looking for.

What is EMDR Therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence based psychotherapy that has been found effective in the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, addiction and many other mental health issues. EMDR targets distressing memories, emotions, or beliefs and through processing, relieves the intensity of the physical and emotional responses.

8 Phases of EMDR

There are 8 phases of EMDR that are each essential to the treatment process in their own way. The EMDR therapist will guide you through each phase at a pace that is appropriate for where you are at in the therapeutic process. Each phase takes a varying period of time that is based on the comfort level of both the therapist and client and is also based on how well the client can regulate their emotions.

Here is a break down of the 8 phases of EMDR:

1. Client History and Treatment Planning

   During this phase, the therapist and client will build the therapeutic relationship, creating a safe and comfortable space while also exploring the clients history and identifying specific goals for therapy. This is where the therapist will gain a better understanding of the clients current abilities to regulate emotions and the level of stress being experienced in their current circumstances.

2. Preparation

   This stage is where the foundation is laid to support the client in being able to process through distressing information like memories and negative beliefs. Once the EMDR process is discussed with the client, the therapist will begin to implement relaxation techniques, grounding techniques, and resource positive information like recovery wins, secure attachment figures, the clients strengths, and anything else that the therapist and client believe will support the reprocessing of the distressing memories and emotions.

3. Assessment

   During the history and preparation phase, memories and experiences will be identified that are considered the underlying causes of the different struggles that brought the client to therapy. The negative belief associated with the memory will be identified (i.e. ‘I am a failure’ or ‘I am not safe’) along with the emotions and physical sensations that come up while thinking about this memory. The intensity of the distress related to this memory while be rated on a Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS) from 0 to 10. Then a positive belief (i.e. ‘I was just a kid or ‘I am safe now’) will be noted as a belief that will be worked towards while reprocessing the distressing memory.

4. Desensitization

   Once the assessment phase is complete and the target memory has been identified, the client will be instructed to focus on the image, thought or memory, the emotional and physical sensations and the negative belief while engaging in a form of bilateral stimulation (BLS). More on this below. BLS occurs in sets, with pauses to take a deep breath and share a brief snippet of what was noticed while focusing on the memory. As the levels of distress, or SUDS, decrease and the information of the memory changes and becomes more adaptive, this will indicate that the memory reprocessing is occurring.

5. Installation

   During the Installation phase, the positive thought or belief identified in the assessment phase will be strengthened in order to ensure the implementation of this new positive information. If this phase is happening then the original target memory is down to a 0 or 1 on the SUD scale. The client will be asked to focus on the positive belief while scanning the memory and engaging in BLS.

6. Body Scan

   The Body Scan is when the client scans their body from head to toe while thinking about the negative experience to see if any physical sensations arises. If tension or any form of physical distress is noticed, then it will be targeted with BLS and the distress generally decreases or disappears.

7. Closure

   This happens at the end of each session, regardless if the target memory has been fully reprocessed. During this phase, the therapist will guide the client through a grounding or relaxation technique ensuring they are ready to return to their day. The therapist will normalize the potential of experiencing images, memories, distressing thoughts, or dreams that may occur after a session of reprocessing.

8. Reevaluation

   The Reevaluation phase occurs at the beginning of each EMDR therapy session and will provide guidance on whether the original target memory is cleared or requires continued reprocessing. If the distress level is down to 0 or 1, the client feels emotional relief, and or the memory seems blurry or faint, then the memory has been resolved. If there are other distressing memories that are impacting the client, then the assessment phase will be completed again with the newly identified target memory.

What is Adaptive Information Processing (AIP)?

The AIP model explains how the distressing information is maladaptively stored in the mind after a traumatic or stressful event. When this happens, the initial distressing response to the stressor, like freezing during an attack or experiencing panic while escaping a house fire may conitnue to be elicited when triggered by similar stimuli. For instance, hearing the crackling sound of fire on TV or encountering someone resembling the attacker's body stature might trigger the same defensive reactions. EMDR processing facilitates the mind in accessing adaptive information. This can involve reinforcing the fact that the person made it through the trauma, highlighting their ability to make it through the trauma, or emphasizing their ability to take action₁. EMDR aids in rewriting the narrative.

What is Bilateral Stimulation?

Bilateral Stimulation (BLS) is a technique used to activate the negatively stored information allowing it to be reprocessed. BLS can be implemented with eye movements, alternating hand tapping on your legs or shoulders, through sounds, or other alternative ways that can be utilized with Telehealth.

Is EMDR Different from Other Therapies?

EMDR differs from other therapies due to its unique approach to trauma processing and resolution. In contrast to other therapys like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which rely heavily on verbal communication, EMDR introduces BLS to enhance the relatively minimal verbal communication required during the reprocessing phase. This empowers the brain to utilize its natural ability to heal itself.

Adding to its uniqueness, EMDR offers a more structured therapeutic process compared to many other therapeutic modalities. It guides the individual through each of the 8 phases, progressing from trauma exploration to its resolution. Fostering a sense of predictability throughout the healing process.

What Does EMDR Treat?

EMDR was originally developed in 1987 by Francine Shapiro to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)₁. While it continues to be primarily used for trauma, complex trauma, and PTSD, its use has been expanded upon in the mental health world. EMDR has been shown to be effective with anxiety₂,₃,₄, depression₅, eating disorders₆, personality disorders₇, and many more.

EMDR for PTSD

Trauma manifests in diverse ways for each individual, ranging from complex childhood abuse and domestic violence to experiencing a natural disaster, a car accident, or managing a chronic illness or medical complication. While the bulk of EMDR research centers on its efficacy in treating PTSD and trauma, consistently yielding positive outcomes, there are also specialized protocols tailored to address the unique experiences of individuals. The Recent Traumatic Event Protocol (RTEP), for example, is specifically employed for recent life stressors such as assault, challenging divorces, or the loss of a loved one.

EMDR for Eating Disorders

Eating Disorder treatment is complex, can take years of treatment and requires a comprehensive treatment team. Fortunately, the research that has been made available on the effects of EMDR and the treatment of Eating Disorders has been very promising. EMDR targets the root causes of the negative beliefs reinforcing the disordered eating behaviors. There is a high correlation with eating disorders and trauma, especially sexual abuse, which means the implementation of EMDR is essential₈. Whether it is Anorexia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, or Bulimia Nervosa, EMDR has been shown to decrease negative beliefs of the self and maladaptive behaviors₆.

EMDR for Anxiety

EMDR can be a beneficial modality for the treatment of anxiety. EMDR helps by identifying past experiences that are impacting the present by increasing the stress response during social situations, academic experiences like test taking, difficulties with communicaiton, or anxiety caused by interpersonal issues. EMDR is an effective therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Social Anxiety, Panic Attacks, and Phobias₂,₃,₄.

EMDR for Depression

EMDR therapy targets the negative beliefs of the self and feelings of hopelessness to bring down the emotional distress, allowing it to be more manageable. EMDR can offer a sense of hope in that it allows the individual to function more effectively in their life.

What to Expect After EMDR

After reprocessing the identified targets that are negatively impacting the individuals ability to function effectively and show up as their authentic selves, they often experience an increase in restful sleep, a decrease in stress, and a more adaptive outlook on life. Clients often report noticing the traumatic memory being blurry and less intense and noticing the traumatic memory feeling less like it is continuously reoccurring.

EMDR & Telehealth

Are you having doubts about virtual therapy? Wondering if it would be worth it? Fortunately I have good news. EMDR can be just as effective during Telehealth sessions as it is during in-person sessions. So not only can you have sessions in the safety and comfort of your own space, you can also access and embrace all of the benefits of EMDR therapy through virtual sessions.

Interested in EMDR & Want to Know More? Let’s Talk.

I hope that this exploration of EMDR therapy has shed light on the transformative potential that EMDR has in supporting various issues like trauma, eating disorders, parenting, and relationships. If you find yourself resonating with this therapeutic approach or how EMDR can benefit your unique situation, I encourage you to reach out. Feel free to schedule a 15-minute consultation call, where we can discuss your concerns and explore how EMDR therapy might be a valuable tool on your journey to recovery.

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Resources

• EMDR International Association

• Podcast: Beyond Trauma

• Book Recommendation: Getting Past Your Past by Francine Shapiro, PhD

I want to clarify that I have no affiliations with or receive any funding from the mentioned resources, ensuring unbiased and independent information on EMDR therapy for your benefit.

References:

1. Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: Basic principles, protocols, and procedures (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Guilford Press.

2. Faretta, E., & Dal Farra, M. (2019, November). Efficacy of EMDR Therapy for Anxiety Disorders. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 13(4). DOI: 10.1891/1933-3196.13.4.325

3. Farima, R., Dowlatabadi, S., & Behzadi, S. (2015). The effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in reducing pathological worry in patients with generalized anxiety disorder: a preliminary study. Archives of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 1, 33-43. DOI: 10.12740/APP/39259

4. Barker, R. T., & Barker, S. (2007, October). The Use of EMDR in Reducing Presentation Anxiety: A Case Study. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 1(2), 100-108. DOI:10.1891/1933-3196.1.2.100

5. Farima, R., Dowlatabadi, S., & Behzadi, S. (2015). The effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in reducing pathological worry in patients with generalized anxiety disorder: a preliminary study. Archives of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 1, 33-43. DOI: 10.12740/APP/39259

6. Zaccagnino, M., Cussino, M., Callerame, C., Civilotti, C., & Fernandez, I. (2017). Anorexia Nervosa and EMDR: A Clinical Case. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 11(1). http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/1933-3196.11.1.43 43

7. Safarabad, N. M., Asgharnejad Farid, A.-A., Gharraee, B., & Habibi, M. (2018, January). Treatment of a Patient with Borderline Personality Disorder Based on Phase-Oriented Model of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): A Case Report. Iranian Journal of Psychiatry, 13(1), 80-83. PMID: 29892320

8. Kong, S., & Bernstein, K. (2008, August). Childhood trauma as a predictor of eating psychopathology and its mediating variables in patients with eating disorders. Journal of Clinical Nursing. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2008.02740