EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing)
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What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidenced based practice that promotes the accessing of traumatic and triggering memories and then desensitizes them using bilateral stimulation which is usually tapping or eye movements. EMDR was originally discovered by Shapiro in 1989. EMDR can help to relief distress caused by different triggers, negative beliefs and somatic symptoms. During this process the client accesses distressing material while the therapist guides the client through the processes and guides the client through using bilateral stimulation which helps the brain create new associations with the distressing memories and negative cognitions so that they are no longer triggering to the client. EMDR uses a three pronged process: 1) the past events that have laid the ground work for dysfunction are processed, creating new associative links with adaptive information; 2) the current circumstances that elicit distress are targeted and internal and external triggers are targeted; 3) imaginal templates of future events are incorporated, to assist the client in acquiring the skills needed to improve functioning. |
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There are eight phases in EMDR.
Who is EMDR for?
EMDR was originally developed as a trauma treatment but has also been shown to be successful in treating anxiety, addictions, eating disorders and depression. In order to start EMDR, time will be taken with the clinician to build a rapport. The clinician would also asses the readiness of the client to start EMDR. It is necessary for the client to have a variety of coping skills before starting EMDR because EMDR can bring up negative emotions while the clinician is working with the client to reprocess these emotions. Here at The Wellness Collective, EMDR sessions are an hour long
- Phase 1 is history taking. The clinician will work with the client to develop a treatment plan and asses the client’s readiness for treatment. The clinician will work with the client to get history about the presenting issue and identify possible targets to work on in EMDR. The length of therapy for EMDR varies depending on how many traumatic incidents have occurred.
- Phase 2 is preparation. During this phase the clinician will work with the client to develop several ways to handle any distress that comes up. A variety of coping skills will be developed during this phase.
- Phase 3 is assessment. During the phase an assessment will be given to asses if the client dissociates so that appropriate treatment can be given. A formal treatment plan will also be developed where the clinician will assist the client in identifying what target will be the focus during EMDR. The target is the memory, bodily sensation or cognition that is triggering.
- Phase 4 is desensitization. During this phase the clinician guides the client to bring the target to mind and uses bilateral stimulation, either tapping or eye movement to desensitize the target until it is no longer triggering for the client.
- Phase 5 is installation. During this phase the clinician will work with the client to replace that memory, cognition or bodily sensation with a positive cognition. This clinician will work with the client to identify the positive cognition. The clinician will then assist the client on focusing on that positive cognition and using bilateral stimulation replace the negative association with the memory, bodily sensations or cognition with the positive one.
- Phase 6 is a body scan. This phase focuses on the somatic or physical symptoms that come up. The clinician will instruct the client to focus on the negative memory or cognition and to scan their body for any physical symptoms that come up. Any physical symptoms will then be targeted, the clinician will assist the client in focusing on these symptoms and using bilateral stimulation to desensitizes these symptoms until they are no longer present.
- Phase 7 in closure. The clinician will ask the client to keep a log during the week to make sure there are no other symptoms that need to be reprocessed.
- Phase 8 is reevaluation. The log will be reviewed by the clinician and the client as well as the progress that the client made. (Shapiro, 2017)
Who is EMDR for?
EMDR was originally developed as a trauma treatment but has also been shown to be successful in treating anxiety, addictions, eating disorders and depression. In order to start EMDR, time will be taken with the clinician to build a rapport. The clinician would also asses the readiness of the client to start EMDR. It is necessary for the client to have a variety of coping skills before starting EMDR because EMDR can bring up negative emotions while the clinician is working with the client to reprocess these emotions. Here at The Wellness Collective, EMDR sessions are an hour long
EMDR at The Wellness Collective
At The Wellness Collective, our EMDR sessions are performed by licensed therapist, Lindsay Zimmitti. All sessions are virtual, and will work to get to the core of traumas to eliminate their impact on you.
Schedule an EMDR session with Lindsay today!
Schedule an EMDR session with Lindsay today!