What is EMDR and How Can It Help You?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a groundbreaking approach to mental health treatment that has transformed the way we address trauma, anxiety, and other emotional challenges. Developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR has since been recognized as a highly effective and evidence-based method for resolving distressing memories and their lasting impact.

Understanding EMDR Therapy

EMDR works by targeting the unprocessed memories that contribute to negative emotions, beliefs, and physical sensations. These unprocessed memories are often the root causes of emotional suffering, ranging from mild anxiety to severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Unlike traditional talk therapies, EMDR uses a structured eight-phase approach to activate the brain's natural ability to heal and reprocess these memories.

The therapy incorporates bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, which mimics the brain activity during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. This process allows the brain to "digest" traumatic memories, discarding what is no longer useful while retaining the lessons learned. The result? A memory that no longer triggers distress and can be stored in a way that contributes to overall mental health.

The AIP Model

The foundation of EMDR therapy lies in the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model. This model posits that much of our emotional suffering stems from unprocessed memories that are improperly stored in the brain. These memories, often linked to trauma or distress, remain "stuck" and continue to trigger negative reactions.

EMDR helps reprocess these memories, integrating them into existing memory networks in a healthy way. By doing so, the brain can resolve the emotional and physical responses tied to these memories, allowing individuals to move forward without being held back by their past experiences.

The Eight Phases of EMDR

EMDR therapy follows a structured process divided into eight phases:

1. History Taking: The therapist gathers information about your past experiences, current challenges, and goals for therapy. This phase identifies target memories for reprocessing.

2. Preparation: You are introduced to the EMDR process and techniques for managing emotional distress, ensuring you feel safe and supported throughout therapy.

3. Assessment: The therapist identifies specific aspects of the target memory, including disturbing images, negative beliefs, and physical sensations, to be addressed during reprocessing.

4. Desensitization: Using bilateral stimulation (e.g., eye movements), the therapist helps you reprocess the target memory, reducing its emotional intensity and impact.

5. Installation: Positive beliefs are reinforced to replace the negative ones associated with the memory, helping you integrate a healthier perspective.

6. Body Scan: You focus on physical sensations to ensure that any residual tension or discomfort related to the memory is resolved.

7. Closure: Each session ends with techniques to restore emotional balance, whether or not the memory has been fully reprocessed.

8. Reevaluation: At the start of the next session, progress is reviewed to determine if additional reprocessing is needed or if new targets have emerged.

Why We Suffer

Many of us carry the burden of past experiences that manifest as automatic emotional or physical reactions.

For instance:

• A successful professional may struggle with public speaking due to a childhood experience of humiliation.

• A person in a healthy relationship may find themselves paralyzed by fear of abandonment, stemming from an early memory of being left alone.

  
  

These reactions, while seemingly irrational, are deeply rooted in how our brains store and process memories. Unprocessed memories are like splinters in our minds—they hurt and disrupt our emotional well-being until they are properly addressed.

How EMDR Can Help

EMDR therapy is designed to bring these unprocessed memories to light and resolve their lingering effects.

For example, in the book Getting Past Your Past by Francine Shapiro, several real-life cases demonstrate how EMDR has transformed lives:

• Justine’s Clingy Relationships: A childhood memory of being left alone during a thunderstorm created a lifelong fear of abandonment. Through EMDR, Justine reprocessed this memory and gained a sense of safety and self-reliance, leading to healthier relationships.

• Ben’s Fear of Public Speaking: An early childhood experience of being ridiculed for speaking in front of others caused Ben to develop debilitating anxiety. EMDR helped him address these memories, enabling him to confidently present at work.

• Stacey’s Persistent Anxiety: Stacey’s recurring feelings of dread were traced back to a traumatic car accident she had blocked from conscious memory. EMDR reprocessed this event, eliminating her symptoms and restoring her peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions about EMDR

Below, we address some of the most common questions and misconceptions about EMDR to help you better understand this innovative therapy.

Is EMDR safe?

EMDR is recognized as effective by major health organizations like the World Health Organization (2013), the American Psychiatric Association (2004), and the U.S. Department of Defense (2017). It has no known harmful side effects but may cause temporary discomfort or emotional distress, which indicates memory processing. The therapist monitors reactions, provides support, and teaches coping skills for managing distress between sessions.

Is EMDR the same as hypnosis?

Do I have to discuss my trauma in detail?

Is EMDR only for people with severe trauma?

Does EMDR erase or change memories?

How to Get Started with EMDR

At Better Minds, we have multiple clinicians who have received EMDR Europe-accredited training to conduct EMDR therapy at different levels. If you are considering EMDR therapy, feel free to contact us with your questions. Our team is happy to provide information and help you determine if EMDR is right for you.

Sources

• Shapiro, F. (2012). Getting past your past: Take control of your life with self-help techniques from EMDR therapy. Rodale Books.

• Chen YR, Hung KW, Tsai JC, Chu H, Chung MH, Chen SR, Liao YM, Ou KL, Chang YC, Chou KR. Efficacy of eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing for patients with posttraumatic-stress disorder: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PLoS One. 2014 Aug 7;9(8):e103676. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0103676. PMID: 25101684; PMCID: PMC4125321.

• Lee, C. W., & Cuijpers, P. (2013). A meta-analysis of the contribution of eye movements in processing emotional memories. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 44(2), 231-239.

• Faretta, E., & Dal Farra, M. (2019). Efficacy of EMDR Therapy for Anxiety Disorders. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 13(4), 325–332.

• Carletto, S., Malandrone, F., Berchialla, P., Oliva, F., Colombi, N., Hase, M., Hofmann, A., & Ostacoli, L. (2021). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 12(1), 1860353.