Alternative content

 EMDR

What is it?
DEFINITION AND EXPLANATION OF EMDR
 “Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing” (EMDR) is a therapeutic technique used by holistic practitioners.  This method consists of a client remembering a stressful prior occurrence and “reprogramming” the recollection to exist in a positive, self-chosen way.  EMDR uses rapid eye movements as well as elements of several effective psychotherapeutic techniques to help facilitate this process. 

What is it used for?
CONDITIONS EMDR MAY HELP

- Addictions
- Body Image and Dysmorphic Disorders
- Complicated Grief
- Dissociative Disorders
- Disturbing Memories
- Eating Disorders
- Pain Disorders
- Panic Attacks
- Performance Anxiety
- Personality Disorders
- Phobias
- Sexual and/or Physical Abuse
- Stress Reduction 

Where did it come from?
HISTORY OF EMDR 
In 1987, psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro was walking in a park mulling over some distressing memories when she realized that her unconscious sweeping eye movements appeared to be decreasing the negative emotions she was feeling. Upon later investigation Shapiro discovered that others also responded similarly to the eye movements.  However, it became apparent that eye movements alone did not create comprehensive therapeutic effects. Shapiro than combined cognitive treatment components as well as other therapeutic aspects and invented a therapy she named “Eye Movement Desensitization” (EMD).

To validate this treatment Shapiro performed a case study as well as a controlled investigation of EMD.  In the controlled study she randomly divided 22 subjects with harmful memories to two groups.  Half the subjects were treated with EMD; the other half were given the same therapeutic procedure utilized in EMD but detailed description and imagery replaced eye movements. She reported that the subjects receiving EMD more effectively lowered stress and increased confidence than those in the imagery group. 

Shapiro continued to refine and improve EMD.  In 1991 she renamed the procedure Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to indicate the mental “reprocessing” that happened during the procedure.  The treatment appeared to be particularly helpful in relieving anxiety associated with post traumatic stress disorder.

EMDR was shown to be a valid treatment and many clients were rapidly helped by its application.  Because of this Shapiro believed she was ethically bound to teach it to other clinicians.  However, its validity had not been independently confirmed through other experimental studies.  Shapiro worked around this issue by only instructing licensed clinicians to use EMDR, and ensuring that all clinicians were trained by the EMDR Institute.  Once other controlled experimental studies were published these rules were lifted and a formal textbook of procedures was made available to practitioners.

What is it based on?
THEORY OF EMDR
Shapiro’s theory holds that traumatic events can overpower standard coping strategies and thus the event may be incompletely processed.  As a result, the event is then inappropriately stored in the memory network.  Upon activation of that particular memory network the individual may experience anew portions of the traumatic experience, causing him to have dysfunctional reactions.

EMDR accesses the memory networks and changes the information processing system by creating new links between the traumatic memory and more healthful information stored in other memory networks, a portion of which is done by utilizing particular eye movements.  EMDR theories contend that the traumatic memory is changed when new bonds are formed with more adaptive, positive information.

This process can cause a substantive change in the cognitive, emotional, and sensory aspects of the memory.  The memory loses its power to cause distress in the individual, and instead he remembers the event with a more adaptive, healthful perspective, removing negative emotions and physiological responses.

How is it done?
WHAT A SESSION OF EMDR IS LIKE
Treatment begins with a history taking session. During the session the therapist evaluates the client’s readiness for EMDR and builds a course of treatment.  Together the client and therapist choose potential targets for EMDR therapy, including any traumatic, disturbing or distressing incidents, in the past or present.  They may also determine which behaviors and skills will be useful and adaptive to the client in future situations.
 
The next phase of treatment involves the therapist determining that the client is in a sound mental state and that he maintains sufficient coping strategies to deal with emotional distress and painful situations.

During the next phases of treatment, the therapist and client begin working with a target using the EMDR treatment protocol.  The client generates the most vivid visualization connected to the memory, a negative belief about himself, and associated feelings and physical sensations.  The client also creates a more healthful positive belief.  The client rates the truthfulness of the positive belief as well as the power of the negative belief.

EMDR procedures vary by therapist, but generally the therapist asks the client to follow a moving object with his or her eyes; the object, which may be the therapist's hand or a bank of lights, moves alternately from side to side so that the client's eyes also move back and forth. After performing a certain number of these eye movements, the client provides feedback as to the thoughts, emotions, physiological sensations, or any experiences that are occurring.  The practitioner directs the client to focus on the thought that has arisen and helps the client start a new sequence of eye movements.  During this time the practitioner may intermittently inquire about the client’s current level of distress, on a scale of one to ten or other assessment tool. The desensitization phase ends when the client's self-reported feelings of distress have lowered or reached zero.

Throughout treatment the client can be directed to write a log during the week of any related thoughts or feelings that occur and reviews the self-calming strategies that were learned during the second stages.  Consequent sessions can include re-evaluation of the previous work, and of progress since the previous session EMDR consists of processing past traumatic incidents, current events that are painful, and future scenarios best served by more adaptive responses.  EMDR’s overall intention is to provide an individual with substantial, profound treatment results in a brief amount of time while enhancing the client’s inner stability and equilibrium.

Who does it?
EMDR PRACTITIONERS
Currently EMDR may practiced only by master's degree level mental health professionals with several years of clinical experience who are licensed or certified through a state or national board which authorizes independent practice. There are many EMDR training opportunities available for such professionals, which include learning the EMDR psychotherapy approach, the basic eight-phase EMDR protocol, the Adaptive Information Processing Model, and how to incorporate EMDR into their practice.