Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) refers to an interactive psychotherapy technique used to relieve psychological stress. Show
According to the theory behind the approach, traumatic and painful memories can cause post-traumatic stress when you don’t process them completely. Then, when sights, sounds, words, or smells trigger those unprocessed memories, you re-experience them. This re-experiencing leads to the emotional distress and other symptoms recognized as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). EMDR aims to reduce symptoms of trauma by changing how your memories are stored in your brain. In a nutshell, an EMDR therapist does this by leading you through a series of bilateral (side-to-side) eye movements as you recall traumatic or triggering experiences in small segments, until those memories no longer cause distress. While originally developed to treat trauma and PTSD, EMDR may also help relieve symptoms of other mental health concerns, especially those intertwined with past trauma. You might feel a little skeptical of the idea that making eye movements when thinking about a traumatic experience can somehow help ease painful memories. While experts aren’t entirely certain exactly why the approach works, some believe it’s effective because recalling distressing events may feel less emotionally upsetting when you aren’t giving those memories your full attention. To put it another way, the bilateral stimulation (BLS) used in EMDR gives you something to focus on as you access painful memories and unwanted thoughts. This helps dim the intensity of your memory, allowing you space to process it without an overwhelming psychological response. What the research saysSince the introduction of EMDR in 1987, a number of studies have found support for its effectiveness. A 2014 review of 24 studies suggested EMDR:
Here’s a closer look at what research has to say about EMDR’s effectiveness:
EMDR is generally recommended for people living with overwhelming traumatic memories and symptoms of PTSD. You may find it particularly helpful if you have a hard time sharing the trauma you’ve experienced with others, including therapists. To date, limited evidence supports the effectiveness of EMDR for other mental health conditions, but some mental health professionals may also recommend it to treat:
A 2017 systematic review of existing research suggested EMDR could potentially have benefit for people who have a history of trauma along with certain conditions, including:
For the most part, EMDR appears to be a safe intervention for a range of mental health symptoms, but future research may offer more conclusive support for its effectiveness. EMDR therapy is broken down into eight phases, so you’ll need to attend multiple sessions. Treatment usually consists of anywhere from 6 to 12 sessions, but more sessions may be needed Phase 1: History and treatment planningYour therapist will first review your symptoms and health history to get a better understanding of where you are in the treatment process. This evaluation phase also includes briefly talking about your trauma and identifying potential memories to address. Phase 2: PreparationYour therapist will teach you a few different techniques to help manage and cope with the emotional or psychological stress you’re experiencing, or uncomfortable feelings that might come up during treatment. This is called resourcing. For example, you might learn stress management techniques, including deep breathing and mindfulness exercises. Phase 3: AssessmentDuring the third phase of EMDR treatment, your therapist will guide you through the process of selecting a specific memory to target, along with any relevant aspects of that memory, such as:
Phases 4–7: TreatmentYour therapist will then begin using EMDR therapy techniques to address the targeted memories. This happens in four stages:
Phase 8: Re-evaluationDuring the re-evaluation phase, which begins the next session, your therapist will ask about the memories and feelings you addressed in the previous session. If those memories still cause distress, they might continue targeting them. If not, they’ll likely suggest moving on to new targets. While experts generally recognize EMDR as a safe and effective approach with few unwanted effects, you could potentially experience a few side effects, including:
EMDR can also take several sessions to work, though you could notice some improvement after your first session. You might find the beginning of therapy triggers some emotional distress and discomfort, especially if you’re just starting to deal with traumatic events. But since EMDR doesn’t require you to talk about the trauma at length or spend extensive time thinking about it, it may feel less overwhelming than other approaches used to treat trauma. If you do become distressed during treatment, your therapist will help you return to the present before shifting to another traumatic memory. Remember, too, that you’ll also learn relaxation and mindfulness strategies before you get started, and these techniques can help you manage those unwanted emotions. Finding a therapistReady to try EMDR? Keeping the following tips in mind can help you find the right professional. Look for an EMDR-trained clinicianTherapists who want to offer EMDR can complete an approved training to become EMDR trained clinicians. This is not the same as the EMDR certification, which requires further education and training. Still, EMDR trained clinicians are fully qualified to offer EMDR. Remember, it’s not at all rude to ask potential therapists about the training they’ve completed before deciding to work with them. To start your search for an EMDR-trained therapist, visit:
You can also find therapists offering EMDR in general therapist directories. Get more tips on finding the right therapist. Find a therapist who treats your specific symptomsPlenty of therapists who offer EMDR specialize in treating trauma-related mental health symptoms, but some may choose to work only with people experiencing PTSD. If you’d like to try EMDR for another mental health concern, such as panic disorder or symptoms of psychosis, it’s always worth asking potential therapists what experience they have treating that concern. If they don’t have experience treating your symptoms, they might even be able to recommend a therapist who’s a better fit. Don’t discount online therapyIf you prefer to connect with a therapist online but want to try EMDR, know that emerging research suggests it may still be effective in a teletherapy format. A 2021 study surveyed 33 EMDR therapists who gave data on 93 adult, children, and young adult therapy clients receiving EMDR online. According to the results, EMDR provided over the internet still helped relieve mental health symptoms. By and large, experts consider EMDR therapy a useful approach for treating trauma and PTSD symptoms. EMDR may be particularly helpful when treatments, like talk therapy and medication, prove less than effective or lead to unwanted side effects. What is EMDR therapy and how does it work?What is EMDR therapy? Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a mental health treatment technique. This method involves moving your eyes a specific way while you process traumatic memories. EMDR's goal is to help you heal from trauma or other distressing life experiences.
Does Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing EMDR work?The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has noted that EMDR is effective for treating symptoms of acute and chronic PTSD. According to the APA, EMDR may be particularly useful for people who have trouble talking about the traumatic events they've experienced.
What is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing EMDR and how effective is it?Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) refers to an interactive psychotherapy technique used to relieve psychological stress. According to the theory behind the approach, traumatic and painful memories can cause post-traumatic stress when you don't process them completely.
Why is EMDR controversial?EMDR therapy is a trauma therapy that is sometimes considered controversial. The reasons someone might think it is a controversial therapy option are the potential adverse side effects and the lack of long-term research. EMDR is safe and effective, but there are some risks associated with the therapy.
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