EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy. It is used for those who have experienced trauma.
The purpose of EMDR is to help people process through their experience and alter the triggers of traumatic memories to have a neutral effect rather than an intense, negative effect.
After one goes through a traumatic experience, the memories of that event hold the various thoughts, physical reactions, and feelings one experienced during the traumatic situation.
When a current event or situation triggers a traumatic memory or feelings, it often takes one back to the moment and they re-experience the intense traumatic thoughts, feelings, and reactions. A well-known example of this is PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), which results in flashbacks, uncontrollable thoughts about the event, and oftentimes anxiety.
EMDR focuses on how the memory is stored in the brain and what happens when the memory is triggered in order to reduce the problematic effects of the memory (American Psychological Association).
There are also many emotions, smells, touch sensations, and memories stored in the body that are not part of the “story,” or triggering memory. These often affect people in adverse ways and people typically don’t realize what it is coming from. Once these are linked back to the memory and reprocessed they can be resolved.
As EMDR desensitizes and reprocesses the traumatic experiences, it incorporates bringing positive resources into that memory to help one cope with it. By using those positive resources, it helps one gain control of the emotions, thoughts, and physical reactions that the traumatic memory brings instead of feeling helpless.
The American Psychological Association shares, “EMDR is an individual therapy typically delivered one to two times per week for a total of 6-12 sessions, although some people benefit from fewer sessions. Sessions can be conducted on consecutive days.”
As the desensitization and reprocessing of a traumatic event (or events) alleviates the effects of trauma triggering issues in life, it also minimizes the effects it was having on one’s marriage and relationships with others.
If you’ve suffered through a traumatic event such as the death of a loved one, accidents,
encounters with combat, or sexual or physical assault, EMDR can help change the negative effects the experience(s) has on you. Click below to learn how to set up a free consultation for yourself or a loved one with the EMDR specialists at Cache Valley Counseling.