EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy
What is EMDR?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences. It is widely assumed that severe emotional pain requires a long time to heal. EMDR therapy shows that the mind can in fact heal from psychological trauma much as the body recovers from physical trauma. When traumatized, the brain’s information processing system naturally moves toward mental health, however, if the system is blocked or imbalanced by the impact of a disturbing event, the emotional wound festers and can cause intense suffering. Once the block is removed, healing resumes.
EMDR therapy is an eight-phase treatment. Eye movements (or other bilateral stimulation) are used during one part of the session. After the clinician has determined which memory to target first, he asks the client to hold different aspects of that event or thought in mind and to use their eyes to track the therapist’s hand as it moves back and forth across their field of vision. As this happens, internal associations arise and the individual begin to process the memory and disturbing feelings. In successful EMDR therapy, the meaning of painful events is transformed on an emotional level. For instance, a rape victim shifts from feeling horror and self-disgust to holding the firm belief that, “I survived it and I am strong.” Unlike talk therapy, the insights people gain in EMDR therapy result not so much from clinician interpretation, but from the client’s own accelerated intellectual and emotional processes. The net effect is that people end EMDR therapy feeling empowered by the very experiences that once debased them. Their wounds have not just closed, they have transformed.
Effects of Trauma on Information Processing
Hyperarousal
Anxiety, panic, fear, anger, hypervigilance, feeling easily startled, dysregulated sleeping patterns
Narrowing of Attention
Cannot concentrate, forgetful, easily distracted, memory problems, absentmindedness
Impaired Stimulus Discrimination
Does not know the difference between danger and safety
Intrusive Re-Experiencing of State-Dependent Memory
Flashbacks, nightmares, racing heart, sweating, emotional flooding
Avoidance, Numbing, Dissociative Coping, Substance Abuse
Amnesia, feeling dead, feeling numb, things are not real, distorted or dreamlike, depersonalization, derealization, person cannot speak
Loss of Meaning
Loss of assumptive foundation, impaired capacity to tolerate intense emotions and perceptions of the trauma, shame is dominant, and impaired sense of self-identity.
Common Reactions to Trauma
Re-experiecing the Trauma
Trauma survivors may re-experience their trauma through thoughts, feelings, memories, and other means. Re-experiencing a trauma can be very distressing, and may trigger uncomfortable emotions such as fear, anger, or sadness.
Nightmares
Flashbacks (uncontrollable vivid images and memories of the trauma)
Distressing thoughts and feelings about the trauma
Emotional distress or physical responses after experiencing a trauma reminder
Avoidance of Trauma Reminders
Because reminders of a trauma can be so distressing, it is common for trauma survivors to use avoidance to control these reactions.
Using drugs or alcohol to suppress uncomfortable thoughts and emotions
Avoidance of activities related to the trauma
Avoidance of people, places, or things related to the trauma
Suppressing thoughts related to the trauma
Avoidance of conversations about the trauma
Hyperarousal
Reactivity, or a feeling of being “on edge”, may begin or worsen after experiencing a trauma. This category includes a broad range of physical and psychological symptoms.
Becoming irritable, quick to anger, or aggressive
Heightened startle reaction
Difficulty concentrating
Frequently scanning the environment or watching for trauma reminders
Difficulty sleeping
Feelings of anxiety, and related symptoms such as a racing heart, upset stomach, or headaches
Risky or impulsive
EMDR Three Phases of Treatment
The standard EMDR treatment plan applies EMDR reprocessing three stages. These stages focus in turn on the past, the present, and the future.
Stage 1 - The Past
Reprocessing is applied to the memory of traumatic events. Generally, it is only necessary to reprocess the first, worst, and the last time it happened and then check to see if there are any other residual disturbing memories. We might also reprocess nightmares along with any associated intrusive memories.
Stage 2 - The Present
We will turn our attention to current cues that still can stimulate distressing thoughts, feelings, or behavioural impulses. These tendencies are encoded during the fight, flight, or freeze response. We will process external cues such as images, sounds, or smells, and internal cues such as fast heartbeat or rapid breathing that still provoke distressing thoughts, feelings, or behavioural impulses.
Stage 3 - The Future
After we have reprocessed current cues and they no long provoke distress, we will turn our attention to the future. Together, we will mentally rehearse coping with any future situations that are likely to arise. We can resolve remaining anxieties and rehearse new skills for coping effectively until you feel well prepared for what lies ahead.
Effects of Eye Movements (Bi-Lateral Stimulation)
Two Effects of Bi-Lateral Stimulation:
Traumatic experiences disrupt normal adaptive information reprocessing which results in information being held in maladaptive memory networks. These memory networks contain the perceptions, affects, sensations, and coping strategies associated with the experience. They may be stored in state-specific form that does not readily allow them to connect with adaptive memory networks. Effective reprocessing of a maladaptive memory facilitates the linkage to adaptive memory networks and a transformation of all aspects of the maladaptive memory network. Maladaptive perceptions, affects, sensations, and coping responses are transformed during reprocessing through integration with adaptive memory networks.
Compelled relaxation response
Increased episodic memory retrieval and cognitive flexibility leading to new associations.
Frank can be contacted at 250-600-7598 or via email at frankmorven@gmail.com and he would be happy to answer any questions.