EMDR therapy

[TeenHelp]

EMDR therapy
By Cassie (Cassado)

EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitizing Reprocessing therapy, was invented in the 1990s by Dr. Francine Shapiro after she realized side to side eye movements helped reduce the intensity of unpleasant events. It is most commonly used for (C)PTSD, addictions, and other anxieties. It is not widely known but it is increasing in popularity.

During EMDR, a professional will ask you to focus on a painful or traumatic memory while you move your eyes from side to side. This eye movement is used to help "untie knots" in the mind and memories, so memories that have been incorrectly stored can resurface. It also helps process current memories, thus, helping the brain store them correctly so the negative feelings are taken away.

There are a few different ways of doing EMDR. The most common is the use of a light bar and headphones. You are supposed to focus on a memory while watching the lights and listening to the sounds from your headphones. You can also hold buzzers in your hands; the buzzers help signal the change in eye movement. Buzzers are commonly used for people with vision or hearing impairments. Lastly, a therapist can guide you with the use of their fingers. However, you need to have a very close therapeutic relationship for that method.

There are eight phases of EMDR therapy. In the first phase, the therapist will asses you to see if they think you are ready for this intense treatment. They will probably ask questions about your history, your trauma, and your goals in therapy. They may then ask you to target the top ten memories you'd like to process first.

During phase two, you will be taught and be expected to practice self-soothing techniques. Your therapist might suggest making a grounding kit or creating a safe place you can revert to during the therapy if the re-experiencing is too overwhelming. Here is an article about creating a safe place.

In phase three, your therapist will ask you to picture a traumatic memory and think of a negative thought about yourself that developed due to the memory. While you're thinking about it, you are to follow the moving lights. This is done over and over again in phase four until all of the memory has resurfaced and you can relive it without significant distress.

In phase five, you take your negative thoughts surrounding the memory and turn them into positive thoughts. You are to repeat those thoughts to yourself while following the lights, and this helps to implant the positive thoughts into your subconscious. You do the same in phase six, but you are asked to list any body memories instead.

In phase seven, your therapist will determine whether or not the memory has been correctly processed. They will encourage you to use your calming techniques if any anxiety arises. In phase eight, you and your therapist will asses your progress in regard to your processed memory. Once you feel like you have made enough progress on it, you will begin with a new memory.

The following is an example of a memory throughout the eight phases:

Your goal in therapy is to process your memories of sexual abuse. When your therapist asks you to target specific memories, you write down the top ten memories you’d like to process first.

Your therapist tells you about different calming techniques and encourages you to think of a safe place. You’ve decided that your safe place will be the beach. Your therapist asks you to describe the beach in one word, and you choose the word “ocean”. Your therapist tells you to picture the beach and repeat the word “ocean” in your head as you watch the moving lights. The word “ocean” has now been programmed into your subconscious and will help you calm down when it is mentioned.

Your therapist asks you to choose a memory and think of a negative thought toward yourself as you watch the lights. You choose a rape memory and the words, “I am disgusting”. You continue to do this until it doesn’t bother you as much anymore, and when you are asked to think of a positive phrase, you use, “I am worthy” and you repeat that to yourself while you revisit your memory. Next, you do the same thing and report any body memories to your therapist.

Later, your therapist will help you determine whether or not you’ve processed all of the memory, and then you will choose a new one and start the phases again.

Before an EMDR session, your therapist will probably ask how you’ve been doing since your last session. If they decide it is safe enough to proceed, they will. They’ll set up the light bar and have you adjust the headphones. They will most likely dim the lights and sit out of your line of vision so it is easier for you to discuss what you re-experience. They will control the lights and sound with a remote and they will ask you to take yourself back to a traumatic memory. While picturing this memory, you are to follow the lights until your therapist stops them. They will then ask what you are experiencing and they will most likely ask you to breathe. You will do this over and over again with your therapist’s instruction until it is time to wind down the session. By that point, your therapist might change the subject or help bring you back to the present. They might ask if you feel like harming yourself and discuss with you whether or not you are safe enough to leave their office.

During EMDR, you might struggle to picture the correct memory. Your mind can wander, you can dissociate, or you can completely re-experience everything with all of your five senses. Just remember that your therapist is a safe person and they are trained to help you through this. Due to all of the re-experiencing, EMDR is very intense and it sometimes requires monitoring and check-ins. It puts you at a higher risk to harm yourself so it is very important that you are honest with your therapist as well as those around you. Results are instant for some people, but for others, it can take up to four or five weekly sessions to see results.

While EMDR is helpful, it can be very tiring, and it is suggested to take some time off in the few days following a session. Reprocessing is both physically and mentally draining and taking care of yourself during this time is vital. It is also suggested to move any unhealthy coping mechanisms such as self-harm tools so you are less likely to harm yourself during this time. EMDR can cause a lot of disturbance at first, but that disturbance is needed to correctly store the memories. Remember the unpleasant feeling is not permanent and will fade away with time.

Recovery from addiction, anxiety, (C)PTSD and trauma is subjective. Some people believe that EMDR removes symptoms, but others do not. It all depends on personal experience with EMDR therapy itself. Due to EMDR’s intensity, it doesn’t work for everyone. Everyone’s experiences are different and treatments vary, too. If your therapist does not think you are ready for EMDR, you can work your way toward getting ready or you can look into other treatments.