Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
therapeutic APPROACH
A path to healing, growth, and lasting change.
What is EMDR?
It is based on the Adaptive Information Processing model which posits that disturbing, traumatic experiences are stored in the brain in a maladaptive way that hinders an individual's ability to integrate the experience. EMDR stimulates the brain's natural capacity for adaptive processing and healing.
In EMDR, past experiences, current symptoms, and potential future challenges are targeted to alleviate symptoms, reduce distress associated with the memory, improve self-perception, and resolve anticipated triggers that keep you feeling stuck. EMDR must be administered by an EMDR-trained clinician.
EMDR is an evidenced-based psychotherapy, originally developed for the treatment of trauma.
How Can EMDR Help?
This innovative method allows clients to reframe distressing memories, fostering adaptive resolution and relieving symptoms associated with trauma. EMDR has shown notable success in treating conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, and other trauma-related disorders by facilitating the brain's natural healing processes.
What Conditions Does Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Treat?
3. Behavioural Modification and Implementation
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT IN EMDR THERAPY?
In the final phase, the therapist helps the client reinforce positive beliefs and emotions associated with the previously distressing memory. This may involve emphasizing the individual's strength, resilience, and adaptive responses. Additionally, the therapist assists the client in developing a positive "future template," allowing them to envision and internalize positive outcomes and beliefs about themselves. This phase aims to solidify the positive changes achieved during the desensitization and reprocessing phase, promoting lasting emotional healing and resilience.
1. Assessment and Preparation
In the initial phase, the therapist collaborates with the client to gather information about the traumatic experiences or distressing memories that are causing emotional distress. This includes identifying specific target memories and associated negative beliefs. The therapist also assesses the client's current emotional state and helps to develop and enhance healthy coping mechanisms. Together, they develop a treatment plan and establish a foundation of trust and safety.
2. Desensitization and Reprocessing
This phase involves the structured processing of targeted memories using bilateral stimulation. The therapist guides the client to focus on the identified traumatic memory while simultaneously engaging in specific eye movements, taps, or auditory stimuli. This bilateral stimulation facilitates the brain's information processing mechanisms, allowing the individual to reprocess the memory in a more adaptive way. As the process unfolds, the emotional charge and distress associated with the memory tend to decrease, and new, more positive beliefs are integrated.
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