About Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
EMDR therapy is an evidenced based modality used by clinicians worldwide. I received my training, and individual and group supervision, through the EMDR Institute. I decided to become certified and received additional training and more supervision. I was certified in 2013. I am also an EMDRIA approved consultant (EAC). It's important to receive EMDR therapy from a therapist trained through the EMDR Institute in your state.
Our memories and life experiences influence our lives every day. Some of those experiences are traumatic or stressful and they affect our lives in a negative way. Our relationships at work, at home, or out in the greater world are affected by those negative life events, even if that event occurred years ago. The death of a loved one, a terrible car accident, rape, incest and combat trauma impacts an individual's life and often prevents them from living healthy and whole lives.
Trauma is stored in the brain as "unfinished business." That's the nature of a traumatic event - it's stressful and incomprehensible and interferes with our normal way of viewing the world. That's why an individual might develop post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. Our brain's personal information processing systems are hardwired for healing. Disturbing or upsetting experiences can overwhelm the brain. The brain is unable to make sense of it. An individual may continue to recall that event emotionally, physically, spiritually, and psychologically long after the event has passed.
EMDR therapy is a therapeutic modality that helps clients to resolve chronic mental health problems. It was developed approximately 30 years ago by Dr. Francine Shapiro PhD, in California. She "discovered" EMDR therapy by chance during a walk while thinking about her own problems. She found that thinking about a personal problem, while moving her eyes back and forth, helped her to resolve that problem. Excited about this discovery, she decided to test her theory further. She tested it on herself, and on interested colleagues. Eventually, she volunteered at a VA facility. She worked with Vietnam era combat vets who volunteered to try this new therapeutic intervention. Dr. Shapiro wanted to see if EMDR therapy was effective with complex PTSD. The combat vets began to resolve decades old traumatic memories and their PTSD symptoms vanished. At the same time, Dr. Shapiro worked with survivors of rape and incest at a women's crisis center. These client's also found relief from their trauma with EMDR therapy. Dr. Shapiro eventually put together an 8-stage protocol for clinicians to use with their clients.
EMDR therapy uses bilateral stimulation in the processing phase. Bilateral stimulation, or BLS, can be compared to REM sleep or rapid eye movement. REM occurs while we're dreaming. You may have noticed a loved one's eyes flickering back and forth when they're asleep. That's REM. An EMDR therapist uses simple and low tech equipment to stimulate BLS. I use pulsars or "buzzers" that you hold in your hands. They emit a soft vibration and/or a light that you follow with your eyes. There are also headphones with alternating tones. You chose what's most comfortable for you. The client is present at all times (this isn't hypnotherapy) or as Dr. Shapiro states, "one foot is in the present and the other foot is in the past."
The wonderful thing about EMDR therapy is that it is client centered. I often say to clients, "You're always the one in the driver's seat." The client is in charge of their process. You can stop whenever you want to, and it's up to you to decide how often and when you want to use EMDR therapy. That being said, it's usually a short term treatment intervention.
I have had my own EMDR therapy sessions. I have used EMDR therapy with children, teens and adults. It was helpful to me personally and clients have told me it was helpful for them, too. It's effective for most people. Clincial trials have shown that 85% of clients benefit from it. EMDR therapy is best understood experientially. It may sound different, even strange, but it is a safe process and one that I encourage you to try. That's the best way to understand what EMDR therapy is.
Why suffer needlessly? You can get past your past, as Dr. Shapiro writes in her book of the same title. I highly recommend her book. It's accessible and eloquent and describes EMDR therapy to the reader in a straightforward manner. You can also check out the EMDR website at www.emdr.org.
The above quote is from Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien 1971
The "river" quote on the home page is from The Land of Right Up and Down, by Eva-Lis Wuorio 1964