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What is Eye Movement Desensitization And Reprocessing Therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitization And Reprocessing is trauma therapy. It was initially developed for the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder by Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1987. It is an individual therapy, typically delivered once or twice weekly for 6-12 sessions, and guided by the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model. According to this model, the symptoms of PTSD and other disorders are the outcome of upsetting events from the past that continue to be distressing because the individual did not properly process the memory. It is believed that these unprocessed memories hold the feelings, thoughts, and physical sensations that were present at the moment of the event. These previously-stored upsetting elements are experienced when the memories are triggered, which results in the symptoms of PTSD and/or other illnesses.

For example, someone who faced any form of harassment on a bus may not be able to ride the bus again. The very image of a bus may bring past haunting memories for that person. That memory of that one incident on the bus might overpower any other memory associated with riding a bus. In such a case, this treatment focuses on this specific memory. It aims to change how this memory is stored in the survivor's brain. This may reduce and eliminate the potentially problematic symptoms.

This treatment approach focuses on moving the eye a specific way while you process a traumatic memory. It incorporates the elements of cognitive behavioral therapy, combined with side-to-side eye movements or other forms of rhythmic left-right stimulation. This could also involve certain tones, taps, and chimes. Thus, the "dual stimulation" procedure requires the client to think or talk about painful memories, emotions, and triggers, while keeping their gaze fixed on the external movement in their field of vision. While clients briefly focus on the trauma memory while also receiving bilateral stimulation (BLS), it lessens the vividness and intensity of the memory.

The Different Phases

This approach aims to obtain long-lasting and quick results. However, working through the complete 8-phase procedure with a certified EMDR therapist is vital to achieving the most effective treatment. Listed below are the 8 phases.

• Phase 1 - History and Treatment Planning: If you decide to undergo this therapy, the therapist will most likely take a brief client history during your first session. Your therapist may inquire about the issues, behaviors, actions, and fears that brought you to seek treatment. However, this approach differs from many other therapies. Here, you won't be required to go into great depth about the traumatic experience. What matters are the feelings and life experiences surrounding the incident, not the specifics of what happened. Based on this preliminary assessment, the procedure can start when the therapist has created a treatment plan for you.
• Phase 2 - Preparation: In the preparation phase, your therapist will teach you some self-care skills to manage any intense emotions that may surface during or between sessions. Self-care is a major focus of EMDR. Additionally, this phase also emphasizes the importance of the establishment of trust with the therapist. They will also go over the theory of this treatment in greater detail, explain the procedure, and practice the bilateral eye movements and other components involved. They will then evaluate what to expect in the subsequent sessions.
• Phase 3 - Assessment: This phase lays the groundwork for the subsequent sessions. You will be asked to identify three things:
  • A scenic or pictorial representation of the target event.
  • A negative belief you have of yourself associated with the target event. For example, someone who faced abuse as a child may believe they are helpless.
  • A positive belief that you would rather have about yourself. This should be relevant to the present. Taking the above example, the person may now have a positive belief that they are much stronger and have access to help now.

  After the identification of the image and negative and positive beliefs, you'll be asked to rate the degree of the positive thinking on the Validity of Cognition (VOC) scale of 1–7 (with 1 being "completely false" and 7 being "completely true").

  Additionally, you'll be asked to score the severity of the unsettling emotions you experience when you concentrate on the visual image on an 11-point Subjective Units of Disturbance (SUD) scale, with 0 denoting no distress at all and 10 denoting the most upsetting emotion you've ever had.

  You'll also be asked to name the parts of your body where you experience pain when you recall the disturbing event.

• Phase 4 - Desensitization: During the desensitization phase, you'll pay attention to all the negative thoughts, upsetting feelings, and physical sensations that arise as you concentrate on your target image. This occurs while you move your eyes back and forth along your therapist's finger. You'll be asked to write down any positive, negative, or neutral responses you have, as well as any new perceptions, associations, or feelings.
  
  After each set of rapid eye movements, the therapist will check in with you and gauge how disturbed you are by the target image. During this phase, you will continue to process the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs associated with the trauma target. The desensitization phase will continue until your emotional distress level, as determined by the SUD scale, is decreased to 0 or 1.
• Phase 5 - Installation: In this phase, the therapist makes an effort to strengthen the positive cognition that is intended to replace the negative. The installation phase is complete until you can accept the positive belief at a level of 7 ("completely true").
• Phase 6 - Body Scan: The body scan, the sixth stage of the therapy, asks clients to pay attention to their physical reactions when they recall the experience and the positive thought and to spot any lingering physical sensations. Your therapist will ask you to focus on your initial target while thoroughly examining your body for any remaining tension. Bilateral stimulation is then used to target any physical discomfort or physiological stress until it disappears.
• Phase 7 - Closure: The session comes to a close with this phase. If the targeted memory isn't fully processed in the session, specific instructions and procedures are used to offer containment and assure safety until the next session.
• Phase 8 - Reevaluation: A review of your progress is conducted at the start of each new session. You will be instructed to concentrate initially on any previously reprocessed objectives. Your therapist will review your emotional responses and evaluate if you've maintained the positive outcome. Additionally, your therapist could inquire about your thoughts on the issues previously addressed and discuss any issues that may have come up between sessions. According to this reevaluation, your therapist will determine whether to move on to new goals or revisit previous targets for more reprocessing and integration.

What are the Benefits?

As this therapy is relatively new, the scientific community continues to examine its results. Some of the potential benefits of EMDR are:

Speedy Results: Compared to other therapies, it often works more quickly. People who receive this treatment often start seeing results sooner and in fewer sessions.

Less Stressful: You are not required to delve into the specifics of the upsetting events of the past when using this therapy. Contrary to many "talk" therapies, the trauma isn't analyzed for an extended period.

Involves Less Homework: Other types of treatment frequently require you to complete journaling or homework between sessions. This therapy only consists in writing down any thoughts or ideas you want to discuss in your next session.

Very Successful: This treatment approach simultaneously works on the mind, body, and emotions. That is why, from comprehending the origins of the problem to coming up with a resolution for the symptoms, this treatment is successful.

Common Techniques

This treatment combines bilateral stimulation along with a disturbing memory. This helps in changing beliefs about the event and establishing new neural connections. And even though the treatment started with eye movements, several kinds of bilateral sensory inputs can now be used. These can include asking a client to follow the practitioner's finger movements with their eyes, using a machine with back-and-forth lights, tapping the client's knees alternately, or using handheld vibrating pods with variable speeds and intensities. The preference of the therapist and the client usually determine the type of bilateral stimulation.

When BLS of the body is combined with sensory memory, it reduces physiological arousal and enables the body to transform the memory from an emotional to a more logical form. After the therapy, a patient should be able to recall the details of a traumatic memory without experiencing the upsetting feelings, thoughts, or sensations previously connected to it. Clients claim to enter therapy with a low sense of self because they felt helpless and had no control over the terrible occurrence. However, post-therapy, they frequently report feeling more in control and with higher self-worth.

What Conditions Can it Help Treat?

This therapy is typically recommended for those with traumatic memories and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. However, some mental health professionals may also recommend it to treat:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Panic Disorders
• Substance Abuse
• Eating Disorders
• Bipolar Disorder
• Low Back Pain
• Psychosis

Mostly, this approach appears to be a risk-free treatment for various mental illnesses. Yet further study may provide stronger support for the efficacy of this treatment approach.

Get Counseling from a Trusted Therapist With DocVita

EMDR is a highly specialized therapy that only a qualified mental health professional with relevant experience in this complicated approach should conduct. Some clinicians might not have the proper training because of how new this therapy is. Additionally, they can lack experience using this treatment or be out of touch with the most recent advancements in the field.

However, at DocVita, we can connect you with various EMDR-specialized professionals who can treat your specific symptoms. Our compassionate and kind therapists can lend an empathetic ear and help resolve your trauma and symptoms of other mental health concerns. Book an appointment with us today!