What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (aka EMDR)
What is it and what can I expect?
EMDR is a psychotherapy approach for working with distressing or traumatic memories. It is based on the theory that many individuals experience psychological adversity as the result of distressing events experienced in the past that have not been properly stored in our memories, known as blocked or unprocessed memories. This is because the part of the brain where memories are stored (the hippocampus), gets overwhelmed by the distress we feel during the event and accidentally stores it in raw form. This then means the memories can be too easily triggered and replay in our mind. In doing so we relive the distress all over again.
The key stages in EMDR are;
– The preparation stage; where we identify the distressing memory and then pinpoint an image associated with the worst moment of that memory, identify the negative belief about that worst moment and the emotions and bodily sensations linked to that moment
– The processing stage; thinking about that image and the belief whilst undergoing bilateral stimulation (side to side), then allowing the brain to notice whatever then comes up and repeating this process until the memory causes less distress.
As EMDR lowers emotional and physiological distress, it gives the brain an opportunity to gain new insights by reprocessing a memory as autobiographical (firmly recognised as a past experience) as well as connecting it to other experiences or knowledge rather than being locked away in isolation and we can them work to instil a new more helpful belief to associate with that memory.
Once historical material has been processed, EMDR can then used to process the current triggers and symptoms being experienced before moving to focus on feared future scenarios that may also be causing distress.
The purpose of side to side stimulation is that is has been shown to enhance memory processing mimicking what our body does each night when we fall asleep and subconsciously process our day.
Is EMDR right for me?
What can it help with? How does it differ from Trauma-Focused CBT? How long will it take?
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing therapy is one of the leading treatment approaches for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (alongside CBT) according to the National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidelines.
It is recommended for adults with a diagnosis of PTSD or clinical symptoms of PTSD more than 3 months after non-combat related trauma.
Also for children and young people aged 7-17 who have a PTSD diagnosis or present with PTSD symptoms over 3 months after the traumatic event and have not responded to or engaged with trauma-focused CBT.
Because EMDR works by helping the brain process upsetting material, although there is less published research on other disorders it can be helpful in treating panic attacks, varying anxiety disorders including social anxiety, OCD and eating disorders as well as depression, addictions and more where distressing memories may be a key feature.
EMDR has four key areas of difference to trauma- focused CBT; EMDR does not involve detailed descriptions of the event, nor direct challenging of the beliefs, nor extended exposure and does not involve between session homework tasks.
Potential barriers to the suitability of EMDR such as particular physical health conditions, neurological impairments and difficulties with alcohol or drug use do exist however this is considered on a case by case basis.
EMDR sessions are often longer than other traditional therapy sessions (up to 90 minutes) and the amount of sessions depends on the type and severity of the trauma being processed. Research shows that single event traumas can be processed in 8-12 sessions.