EMDR

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a specific type of therapy. It is considered a rapid information processing system. EMDR has been around since the 1980's and has been heavily researched for the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and used in this population more than any other type of therapy. Recent studies on the developing brain and memory have given us new insight into how EMDR works and why it is such an effective therapy. Many new applications for EMDR are currently being developed and researched.

When a traumatic event occurs, there are changes that occur in the brain. These events may be large scale such as a natural disaster or ongoing abuse situation. Or, it can be less dramatic such as being the object of a childhood prank that still has a lasting impact.

These memories are not fully processed by the brain due to the imbalance in the nervous system and biochemical changes in the brain. The original somatic memories, emotions, sights, sounds or smells associated with the trauma remain in their disturbing state.

EMDR seems to jump start an accelerated natural healing process that allows the memory to move into the past and reprocess the information in a more adaptive manner. One is left with the memories but is able to think of it without the disturbance that formerly accompanied it.

EMDR is a part of a treatment protocol beginning with history taking and relationship building. Once EMDR is further explained, the client is provided with techniques to aid in self-soothing.

In the actual session, the client is asked to hold a mental picture of the event with some of the different aspects of the memory at the time it occurred. Bilateral brain stimulation is used to facilitate a dual attention focus. One is simply asked to just allow your mind to flow and to notice what happens much like watching a video or scenery on a moving train. Periodically, we stop and I ask what the client sees and this may be the starting point for the next set. This continues until the memory can be accessed without emotional disturbance.

In the next part of the treatment,the client begin to experience a more positive and healthier cognition in relationship to the memory. We work through this until it feels true. This is followed by a full body scan to check if there is any uncomfortable sensation left in your body. Only after all disturbing pictures and bodily sensations are resolved is this part of the treatment completed. This may be followed by processing present triggers and working on future templates.

This is a brief fundamental explanation of EMDR. It is amazing to observe the dramatic and lasting changes that take place in a relatively short time.

The Theory of EMDR

When the disturbing event occurs, biological and nuerochemical changes cause it to remain in the brain without the processing that would normally take place. The disturbing event is “stuck” in the brain and nervous system in its original state with the corresponding emotions, body sensations and negative beliefs. Present situations can result in the client feeling much as he or she did in the original situation even though one cognitively recognize that there are differences in the present situation.

The traumatic memory is stored in the right hemisphere, which is the emotional hemisphere of the brain. The left hemisphere is our logical, linguistic, linear side. Because of the before mentioned changes, the integration of these two hemispheres does not occur. EMDR allows access to these networks so that our psyche can reprocess the information in a more adaptable manner and restore balance. We are now able to hold these memories without the disturbing feelings formerly associated with them.

Other applications

EMDR is currently being developed and used in a variety of applications. It is being used positively to access personal resources and inner strengths. It is being used to treat Eating Disorders and enhance performance. It is used for adults and children and is one of the leading treatments for Disassociate Identity Disorder.

Links

For more information about EMDR please visit:

The EMDR Institute: www.emdr.com

The International EMDR Association (EMDRIA): www.emdria.org

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