What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for "Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing." EMDR Therapy is a trauma-focused therapy discovered by Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1987. It is used to treat distressing past experiences and the symptoms they cause. These disturbing memories are reprocessed through bilateral stimulation, which can be provided through eye movements, auditory cues, or tactile stimulation.
What is Bilateral Stimulation in EMDR Therapy? How is it Performed?
According to the EMDR approach, distress, problems, negative emotions, thoughts, behaviors, character, and personality traits stem from unprocessed, isolated memories that disrupt harmony and function. To make these memories functional, the client receives bilateral stimulation. This process utilizes the brain's adaptive information processing model. Bilateral stimulation is provided by moving the eyes from left to right, stimulating both hemispheres of the brain. Similarly, it can also be done using auditory stimulation through headphones or tactile stimulation through vibrations in the hands.
Is It Possible to Reduce the Impact of Traumatic Events with EMDR Therapy?
People often wish to forget negative experiences. However, accepting these experiences and learning from them makes one stronger. EMDR Therapy helps individuals recognize their inner strength. No matter how painful a memory is, facing it opens a new door, leading to a journey of self-discovery. Emotions, thoughts, and bodily sensations accompany this process. As a result, dysfunctional memories become functional, and distressing memories lose their impact. Not only do past negative experiences lose their power, but future potential challenges can also be prevented.
This reminds me of Ernest Hemingway’s words:
"The world breaks everyone, and afterward, many are strong at the broken places."
Does EMDR Therapy Erase Bad Memories?
Therapists acknowledge that, no matter how distressing, memories are a part of the individual, and they respect and accept them. EMDR Therapy is based on neurobiological principles. It helps process memories that were not processed healthily, reducing or even eliminating negative emotional associations with traumatic events. The memory itself does not disappear but ceases to be traumatic.
This process is more valuable than simply erasing a memory. Human beings are shaped by their life experiences. It is similar to the Japanese art of kintsugi, where broken porcelain bowls are repaired with gold dust. In this tradition, the more cracks and imperfections a bowl has, the more valuable it becomes. The philosophy behind this is that a person or object, when damaged, learns from the experience, making it more beautiful and valuable.
Think of EMDR Therapy as the gold dust that helps you piece together fragmented, dysfunctional memories, allowing you to view them from a functional perspective.
In Which Areas is EMDR Therapy Used?
EMDR is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a preferred treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Studies indicate that EMDR achieves healing faster than other trauma treatments.
In addition to PTSD, research shows that the intensity, frequency, and persistence of negative past experiences can increase psychological and health-related dysfunctions in daily life. Therefore, EMDR therapy is effective in treating:
- Phobias
- Panic attacks
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Eating disorders
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Personality disorders
- Pathological and traumatic grief
- Migraine and fibromyalgia
- Addiction disorders
It is also beneficial for relationship-related issues such as attachment difficulties and post-breakup adjustment, as well as personal development areas like performance anxiety and self-confidence enhancement.
Who Can Perform EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy requires specialized training. Only therapists who have completed EMDR training and supervision can practice it. To become an EMDR therapist, one must complete Level 1 and Level 2 training along with supervised practice.
How Many Sessions Does EMDR Therapy Take?
EMDR therapy usually takes between 5 to 10 sessions. The effects of trauma can diminish within 1 to 3 sessions, though in cases of multiple traumas, the duration may be longer. While working on one trauma, individuals may unintentionally process other traumatic memories as well.
Ultimately, the duration of treatment depends on the complexity of the trauma and the client's emotional readiness for the process.
How is EMDR Therapy Applied?
EMDR therapy follows an 8-phase, three-pronged (past, present, future) protocol. The goal is to:
- Reprocess past memories for desensitization
- Treat current symptoms
- Help the client develop new positive perspectives and behaviors for future challenges
The 8 phases of EMDR Therapy include:
- History-taking – The therapist gathers information about the client’s past.
- Preparation – The client is informed about EMDR and prepared for the process.
- Assessment – The therapist helps the client identify:
- A target memory
- A negative belief associated with the memory
- The emotions and physical sensations tied to it
- The desired positive belief the client wishes to adopt
- Desensitization – The client focuses on the memory while receiving bilateral stimulation. After each set, the client reports their thoughts, and the therapist guides them. Processing continues until the memory becomes less distressing.
- Installation – Bilateral stimulation reinforces positive beliefs related to the memory.
- Body Scan – The therapist checks if the client experiences any lingering physical distress and processes it if necessary.
- Closure – The therapist provides feedback, relaxation techniques, and explains what to expect after the session. The client is asked to note any psychological reactions.
- Reevaluation – The therapist reviews previous session outcomes, ensuring positive changes have been retained. If necessary, processing continues with new target memories.
Once past and recent disturbing memories are fully processed, present symptoms significantly diminish.
Is the Effectiveness of EMDR Therapy Scientifically Proven?
A 2019 study reviewing over 30 randomized controlled trials found that EMDR significantly reduces or eliminates PTSD symptoms in most clients. It also helps alleviate related psychological symptoms, such as anxiety (de Jongh et al., 2019).
EMDR is recognized as an effective therapy by numerous international health and governmental organizations, including:
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- American Psychological Association (APA)
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
EMDR Therapy continues to be one of the most effective and evidence-based approaches for trauma treatment worldwide.
