What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR Therapy, also known as Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy, is an integrative, client-centered approach that treats the problems of daily living based on the overwhelming life experiences that continue to have a negative impact on a person through their life.
(Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 15(4), 2021 p. 187)
Sometimes when an overwhelming event(s) in our lives occur, they are not fully processed in the moment as a way of protecting us at that time. However, when this lack of processing happens, it can often feel like we are re-living the event through distressing emotions, thoughts, flashbacks, and memories.
EMDR Therapy helps to integrate and process the event(s) in order for us to live fully in the present moment.
What does a session look like?
EMDR Therapy follows an eight phase approach, with the duration of those phases varying between clients and the presenting issues. Using dual stimulation such as bilateral eye movements, tapping, or audio tones, the counsellor facilitates the client to revisit the distressing event and process them to a full resolution.
In contrast to a typical talk therapy session, EMDR does not require the client to talk about the distressing event(s) in length and instead, allows the brain and body to naturally heal itself. With this approach, there is evidence to show that unprocessed trauma can come to a quicker resolution when compared to other therapies.
What can a client expect?
EMDR aims to shift our responses of the event to become more adaptive in our everyday lives as memories move from a place of threat to a place of safety and resolution.
The memories of the event are not forgotten however, through processing, the intense and distressing emotions that once came with the memory often feel less overwhelming and scary.
Who can benefit?
EMDR therapy helps children and adults of all ages. Therapists use EMDR therapy to address a wide range of challenges:
(Source: https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/)
-
Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias
-
Chronic Illness and medical issues
-
Depression and bipolar disorders
-
Dissociative disorders
-
Eating disorders
-
Grief and loss
-
Pain
-
Performance anxiety
-
Personality disorders
-
PTSD and other trauma and stress-related issues
-
Sexual assault
-
Sleep disturbance
-
Substance abuse and addiction
-
Violence and abuse