What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing is a psychotherapy that “enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences” (EMDR Institute). The science behind EMDR suggests that the bilateral stimulation helps the brain make new neural pathways - i.e. new, more positive and compassionate beliefs of self. It is typically used to treat symptoms of trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but it can be used for other distressing symptoms for anxiety, phobias, & OCD.

What does EMDR involve?

EMDR is an eight-phase treatment that includes eye movements or other bilateral stimulation while processing targeted distressing memories. Phase 1 & 2 are focused on information gathering, preparation, and education. Phase 3 through 6 is where a target memory is identified & processed using EMDR therapy procedures by identifying a vivid visual image related to the memory, a negative belief about self, and related emotions & body sensations. Phase 7 involves stabilization for between sessions & future planning. Phase 8 goes over progress made as well as planning for emotions and experiences you might experience in the future - how you would handle things at that time with the knowledge you have now about yourself and past trauma.

This type of treatment does not involve talking in detail about a distressing issue, which can be helpful for some clients. Instead, EMDR focuses on changing the emotions, thoughts, and behaviors that result from the beliefs that arise from a distressing experience or trauma.

“Often, when something traumatic happens, it seems to get locked in the brain with the original picture, sounds, thoughts, feelings, and so on. Since the experience is locked there, it continues to be triggered,  whenever a reminder comes up. It can be the basis for a lot of discomfort and sometimes negative emotions, such as fear and helplessness, that we can seem to control. These are the emotions connected with the old experience that are being triggered. 

The eye movements [or other methods] we use in EMDR seem to unlock the system and allow your brain to reprocess the experience… The important thing is to remember that [in EMDR therapy] it is your own brain that will be doing the healing and that you are the one in control.”

(Shapiro, 2018, p. 115-116).

How long does EMDR therapy last?

Since EMDR has eight phases, these consist over multiple sessions. While one session may use parts of multiple phases, you can expect at least two to three sessions for phase 1-2 in preparation for safe trauma processing. Phase 3-6 can take between 3-6 sessions, but more complex or longer-term traumas may take 8-12 sessions (or more) depending on many factors. Sessions are typically 1 hour to 90 minutes.

EMDR therapy relies on it’s phase structure to be successful. Therefore, it is important to be intentional to complete the process in therapy with as minimal pauses in treatment as possible.

More Resources for EMDR:

EMDR Institute, Inc - https://www.emdr.com/

EMDR International Association - https://www.emdria.org/