EMDR, short for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, therapy is a form of psychotherapy that targets trauma and post-traumatic stress. During each session, the patient will alternate between sets of eye movements and discussions of the triggering or traumatic experience. Researchers believe this technique is effective because recalling traumatic events can be less distressing when a patient’s attention is diverted.
How EMDR Therapy Works
Patients can start by visiting renuyoutulsa.com/emdr to find a local provider who is trained in administering EMDR therapy. Once they begin therapy, the treatment will be broken down into eight stages, which usually require at least 12 sessions.
Stage One: Patient History and Treatment Planning
The first session will be devoted to a review of the patient’s psychological history, including a discussion of his or her traumatic memories. This evaluation gives treatment providers the chance to evaluate where patients are in their treatment processes and decide which memories to target.
Stage Two: Preparation
Next, the therapist will teach his or her patient ways to cope with emotional or psychological stress. Most EMDR therapists use a combination of deep breathing and mindfulness, though other techniques may also be appropriate.
Stage Three: Assessment
During the assessment stage, the patient will work with the therapist to identify which traumatic memories should be targeted. It’s also important to identify associated components like physical sensations of distress that accompany each target memory.
Stages Four to Seven: Treatment
During the actual treatment stages, the therapist will guide the client through his or her target memories while simultaneously performing specific eye movements. Other forms of bilateral stimulation may also be included. If the patient becomes distressed, the therapist will stop to focus on the present moment before moving on to different target memories. Eventually, the process should become easier and patients should experience less distress when revisiting thoughts, images, and memories related to the event.
Stage Eight: Evaluation
During the final stage, patients will get the chance to evaluate their progress and the efficacy of the EMDR therapy. The therapist will also perform an evaluation.
Who Benefits From EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy is primarily used to treat patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, some researchers believe it may also be an effective treatment modality for other psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, addiction, panic disorders, and eating disorders.
EMDR Therapy Has a Proven History of Effectiveness
When it comes to treating PTSD, EMDR therapy has already established itself as an effective treatment. It is more effective than prolonged exposure therapy and has a lower dropout rate. The best part is, EMDR therapy has been shown to provide longer-term relief from the symptoms of PTSD when compared with standard treatments alone.
What to Expect
EMDR therapy does not require the administration of prescription medications and is considered safe. It can, however, cause a heightened awareness of thought patterns and memories and has been known to cause light-headedness and vivid dreams. The beginning phases of therapy can also be exceptionally triggering due to that heightened focus, but most patients find that it’s worth the psychological discomfort in the long run.
Final Thoughts
EMDR therapy is a relatively new treatment, but it has already shown itself to be remarkably effective at treating PTSD and other forms of trauma. It may also help patients with other mental health conditions. EMDR therapy can be used in conjunction with prescription medications, or it can replace them. As with all treatments, it’s important for patients to discuss their expectations and potential outcomes with their therapists prior to getting started.
