More About EMDR
EMDR Therapy Facilitates Natural Healing
Just as the human body has a built-in process for healing threats to its physical health, we also have a natural healing process for mental health after we have experienced a shock or emotional trauma. Our mind continually makes connections for us that are geared toward health and survival. In the 1980s, it was discovered by psychologist Francine Shapiro that bilateral stimulation--alternately stimulating the right and left side of the brain accelerates the natural process of return to mental health.
Theory of EMDR Therapy
Memories of traumatic experiences get stored in frozen memory networks. They can’t link to other more adaptive memory networks. The natural healing process gets sidetracked. With EMDR therapy, it is possible for traumatic memories to be “unstuck” and to link up with more adaptive, healthy memories. The precise way EMDR therapy works is not yet understood, but it has been studied widely and found to be a very effective therapy for processing traumatic memories.
Flow of EMDR
Lighting up the Traumatic Memory Network
After history taking and preparation, the therapist asks you to identify the images, emotions, self-beliefs, and bodily sensations linked to the difficult memory. This activates, or lights up, the frozen traumatic memory network and prepares it to link with healthier, more adaptive memories, associations, and thoughts.
Learning Safety Techniques
Remembering the associations connected to the shock or trauma can be painful, but you are supported in the session and given tools to manage the feelings as they occur. These involve safe place exercises and positive internal resources you can use to self-soothe. This gives you a way to deactivate the old traumatic memory network when you need or want to and to slow down the pace of the processing when you want to.
Managing the “Lit Up” State
The therapist helps you experience a balance between activation and safety that is just right for processing the difficult memory. In this “zone” the thoughts, emotions, images, feelings and body sensations of the memory are activated, but you are not so engulfed in the memory to be unaware that “That was then and this is now” and that you are safely in the present moment in your therapist’s office.
Left-Right Stimulation
While you are in that middle-place of one foot in the past and one foot in the therapist’s office, the therapist begins left-right stimulation. There are various types of left-right stimulation and the therapist and you together decide which is best for you. Whatever type you choose, the EMDR processing makes it possible to connect to more health-producing thoughts, images, and associations. You just notice your thoughts, feelings, body sensations, and emotions as they occur while experiencing the left-right stimulation. Always remember to not censor anything. This free association process brings up a variety of sensations, feelings, and thoughts as your mind works through the memory. After each set of left-right stimulus, the therapist checks in to see what you are experiencing.
Letting Whatever Happens Happen…
EMDR therapy may bring up seemingly unrelated associations. You just let whatever is happening happen during the left-right stimulation and report briefly on what you are experiencing when the therapist checks in. It is important not to censor anything! You may experience painful or difficult sensations, but you are encouraged to stay with the sensations with the support of the therapist. Moving through the wave can be deeply healing. Letting whatever happens happen and staying with the feelings even if they are difficult makes it possible for the mind to link up more adaptive memory networks to the old, frozen traumatic memory networks. The therapist monitors the process as it unfolds, looking for signs that it is on target. Sometimes things change and sometimes they don’t. The therapist is there to assist when things get sidetracked. If things are not progressing, the therapist changes techniques or adds information to facilitate the natural healing process at work.
The Body Remembers!
You will pay special attention to physical sensations during EMDR therapy. Focusing on body sensations provides an entryway to the old stuck memories. You are asked to be aware of and report on physical sensations during the session.
Past, Present, and Future
Whatever issue or challenge you are working with in therapy, it probably has a past, present, and future element. EMDR therapy is used to work with all three aspects of an issue. The therapist helps you target the issue from these three perspectives.
The Work Continues
The natural healing process will likely continue between therapy sessions. After a session you may feel tired and need some down time. If possible, plan your EMDR session when you have time to relax after the session. You may also have insights, dreams, or thoughts and feelings related to the work you did. You are asked to keep notes on a log or in a journal between sessions and to use tools (supportive people and self-soothing techniques) to manage feelings between sessions. Your therapist is also there for support if needed.