Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
My Experiences with EMDR
This may have been the first time you have heard of EMDR. Most clients I mention it to have never heard of EMDR, although it was developed in 1987 by Francine Shipiro, Ph.D. I have to admit, EMDR is a rather “weird” therapy, but it has gained recognition around the world as a powerful tool for recovery from trauma.
First of all, I want to reassure my clients and potential clients that I am really not into anything “weird.” I would not want to be subjected to unsound practices and I would not subject my clients to anything I wasn’t comfortable with having for myself. When I was six years old, I had a very traumatic tonsillectomy. That was back in the days of ether. And of course, because I thought they were trying to kill me, I fought like the dickens and they strapped me down. I developed PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder) as a result. For the short version of my story, I coped pretty well until the mid-90’s when I developed mild sleep apnea, which triggered the PTSD symptoms.
I had been reading of EMDR, but dismissed it as “too weird.” However, after years of unrestorative sleep, I began to wonder if EMDR might not be something that taps into a very natural healing mechanism like our dreaming state of REM sleep. So I got some EMDR treatment and was amazed that I no longer experienced the “sheer terror” emotions if I told my trauma-tonsillectomy story! Pretty amazing. I decided I wanted to get trained to do EMDR so I could offer that kind of relief to my clients.
The official EMDR training by Francine Shapiro’s EMDR Institute, Inc. is a two-part training, which I completed in June 2007. I have taken further specialized EMDR trainings, including for working with children. I read a lot on the subject and participate regularly in a monthly EMDR Therapist Group in Portland. I have direct client experience using EMDR for issues of childhood abuse, sexual abuse and rape, accidents, difficult relationship issues, anxiety of various kinds, and performance enhancement.
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a treatment approach used for anxiety reduction, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), performance enhancement, and various other symptoms and conditions. EMDR combines different elements of many effective therapies in an eight-phase protocol that addresses past, present, and future. Francine Shapiro calls EMDR an Accelerated Information Process. No one knows just why it works. It is thought that it may be because it is similar to REM sleep when our brain processes so much in our dreams. With all the current research in neurobiology and brain processes, they will probably understand the healing process some day. Bessel van der Kolk, leading trauma expert, refers to EMDR as an experiential therapy that can accomplish more than talk therapy alone. Dr. Daniel Amen’s SPECT brain scans, pre- and post-treatment, graphically show remarkable change with EMDR.
Most people know EMDR by the bi-lateral stimulation technique used during emotional recall of the trauma event. The bi-lateral behavior may include eye movements, tapping, or audio tones. Trauma, by its very nature overwhelms one’s senses, often fragmenting things in memory. EMDR helps to process that stored information in a more coherant, integrated way to where it feels more like “old stuff” of the past. It can be laid to rest and life can move forward.
Anyone seeking EMDR treatment will want a therapist who had the official training. Some therapists might think they could do EMDR by reading a book or taking a brief workshop, but if you had trauma, you want a therapist who is well qualified. For single incident trauma, treatment is remarkably rapid. Early childhood trauma is more complex and treatment is more involved. I like to consider each client’s individual needs, also keeping current life stress issues in mind. Therapy is about more that just a treatment technique.
How was EMDR Discovered and Developed?
One day in 1987, psychologist Francine Shapiro was out walking, thinking about some things that were very emotionally disturbing for her. She noticed that the disturbance disappeared as her eyes were moving back and forth. She experimented with another anxiety-provoking thought and found that anxious feeling also went away as she purposefully tracked her eyes back and forth. She then began trying the technique with fellow therapists, and eventually developed it to use with patients. EMDR is now used worldwide and its use is growing rapidly.
Is there Research on EMDR?
EMDR is an evidence-based, accepted psychotherapy by leading mental health organizations throughout the world for the treatment of a variety of symptoms and conditions. You may be interested in checking out some of the research findings.
· EMDR Therapist Network http://www.EMDRtherapistnetwork.com
· EMDR Institute, Inc http://www.emdr.com
· EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) http://www.emdria.org
· American Psychological Association (APA) http://www.apa.org
· The National Center for PTSD (http://www.ncptsd.org)
· http://www.therapyadvisor.com
· Dr. Daniel Amen http://www.amenclinics.com
SPECT imaging scans show EMDR changes brain function and calms overactive focal areas of the anterior cingulate gyrus, basal ganglia, and deep limbic system areas.
What would an EMDR Session be like?
While all therapists trained in the official EMDR protocol and practices have the same basics for treatment, you will no doubt find differences in how they conduct therapy sessions. This is understandable because a therapist’s work is framed by their personality and unique way of doing things.
If you choose to work with me, we will begin with a thorough history and intake assessment. As a therapist, I like to know my clients well and to consider the whole person. For a recent, single incident trauma without complicating factors, we might start EMDR right away and it would probably be only 4-5 sessions and you’d be done. If you’ve come because of on-going childhood trauma or abuse, we will need more time. Complex trauma calls for a gentle approach and keeping you stable. I like my clients adequately prepared with special coping skills to manage potentially disturbing emotions and memories. I don’t want your therapy to be so “traumatic” you can’t function for your daily life and responsibilities.
The thing I like about EMDR is that you, the client, are in control. It is not hypnosis. It is a dual awareness process: memory recall and present awareness at the same time. I fully believe that your own mind will know what it needs for healing. During EMDR, you will focus on the vivid visual image related to the memory, the negative belief about self, and related emotions and body sensations. Sometimes a client will have new recall or surprising insights. Sometimes they will experience dramatic emotional changes or bodily energy release. Each person’s story is unique and how they process things is also uniquely theirs. As therapist, I am there to support, validate, bear witness, and facilitate the EMDR process.
I always feel privileged and honored to offer hope and help for healing through EMDR treatment.