EMDR Trauma Therapy

What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences (emdr.com, 2023). EMDR uses Bilateral Stimulation (BLS) as it’s primary mechanism.

Who is EMDR Therapy for?
EMDR therapy is powerful treatment for trauma. It is also effective for anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health conditions that can cause a client to feel stuck in a loop.

What is BLS?
BLS is a mechanism that activates both sides of the brain, which allows for the processing of memories, emotions, and incidents that are stuck in the nervous system. BLS uses alternating eye and body movement (such as moving eyes from side to side, alternating butterfly tapping, leg tapping, and alternating sound).

How long does it take?
EMDR Therapy varies based on the person and their experiences – although repeated studies show that by using EMDR people can experience the benefits of psychotherapy in a shorter timeframe and that historically has taken years with traditional psychotherapy (i.e. talk therapy).

WHAT WILL WE DO?
We will focus on three time periods in your life: past, present, and future. We will use methods of Bilateral Stimulation (BLS) in order to support you with desensitizing and reprocessing disturbing memories from the past, as well as present situations that cause distress. Part of the goals of EMDR is to develop skills, attitude, and confidence towards future positive and productive interactions.

There are eight (8) phases: Read more in-depth at emdria.org.

Phase 1: History Taking: we will gather information as well as map out a treatment plan. We will also determine if you are ready to begin the EMDR therapy.

Phase 2: Preparation: we will teach tools and methods to support with self-care during the EMDR therapy, as well as in-between sessions. The goal is for you to be able to manage emotional stress. Tools will include stress reduction and overall self-care tools.

Phase 3: Assessment: By this time we have identified a target memory (TM). With each TM, we will also identify the following:
• A vivid/dominant image that represents the memory.
• A negative belief associated with that memory
• What you are feeling in your body
• What you are feeling emotionally
• A preferred, positive belief you want

Phase 4: Desensitization: This phase we focus on desensitizing the disturbance related to that memory. You will hold what you’ve identified associated with the memory in mind and complete sets of bilateral stimulation (BLS) (i.e. eye movement). During this time, we will check in after each set of BLS as to what you notice; any thoughts, images, sensations, etc.

Phase 5: Installation: Once no distress or disturbance is reported related to that specific memory, we will begin to install the preferred, positive belief identified at the beginning.

Phase 6: Body Scan: You are asked to hold the TM and preferred, positive belief in mind while scanning the body. Any lingering sensations/disturbances in the body is reprocessed using BLS.

Phase 7: Closure: Each session will end with a support exercise to bring you back to a state of calm. Part of Phase 7 will also happen in between sessions, where you will identify any further thoughts, feelings, images, etc that may arise. It is also a time to practice the self-care tools taught in Phase 2.

Phase 8: Reevaluation: Each new session begins with a check in and reevaluation of where you are with a specific target memory. Based on this check in, we determine which phase to start for that session.

Here is a quick animation that describes the process of EMDR by @VENemdr.