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What is emdr therapy and how is it used to treat trauma
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a type of psychotherapy that was developed in the late 1980s by psychologist Francine Shapiro. It is a structured therapy approach that is typically used to treat trauma, but it can also be used to treat other mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.
EMDR therapy involves a specific set of procedures that help to activate the brain’s natural healing processes. During a session, the therapist guides the client through a series of eye movements, sounds, or taps while the client recalls a traumatic experience. This process is thought to activate the brain’s information processing system, allowing the client to process the traumatic memory in a more adaptive way.
The theory behind EMDR therapy is that traumatic experiences can become “stuck” in the brain, and the brain is unable to process the memory in the same way it would process a non-traumatic memory. This can lead to symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, and feelings of distress and anxiety. By using the eye movements or other bilateral stimulation techniques, the therapy aims to activate the brain’s information processing system, allowing the traumatic memory to be processed and integrated into the client’s normal memory system.
EMDR therapy typically involves eight phases:
- History-taking and preparation: The therapist takes a detailed history of the client’s trauma and provides education about EMDR therapy.
- Assessment: The therapist works with the client to identify specific targets for the therapy.
- Desensitisation: The client focuses on the traumatic memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements or tapping).
- Installation: The client focuses on positive beliefs and emotions related to the traumatic memory.
- Body scan: The client is asked to notice any physical sensations related to the traumatic memory.
- Closure: The session is ended in a way that allows the client to feel grounded and safe.
- Re-evaluation: The therapist and client review progress and plan for future sessions.
- Maintenance: The client is encouraged to use the skills learned in therapy to manage future distress.
Research has shown that EMDR therapy can be an effective treatment for trauma. In a randomised controlled trial conducted by the University of Bedfordshire, EMDR therapy was found to be as effective as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) in reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Another study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology found that EMDR therapy was effective in reducing PTSD symptoms in a group of children who had experienced sexual abuse.
In conclusion, EMDR therapy is a structured psychotherapy approach that is used to treat trauma. It involves the use of bilateral stimulation techniques to help activate the brain’s natural healing processes and process traumatic memories in a more adaptive way. Research has shown that EMDR therapy can be an effective treatment for PTSD and other trauma-related mental health conditions.