What is EMDR? How Eye Movements can help you Reprocess Trauma
How Eye Movements can help you Reprocess Trauma
Trauma affects everything: Our relationships, reactions, ability to work, our bodies, and our mental health. Thankfully there are evidenced-based interventions that can help us heal from this trauma. EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is one of the leading interventions to start this process.
What Is EMDR?
EMDR is a psychotherapy intervention developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s.
The core of EMDR involves processing traumatic memories while focusing on bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones. Trauma starts when we are young and "snowballs" on itself as more things happen. EMDR helps you reprocess the initial trauma to lower your distress, so the "snowball" is not as large and intense.
How Does EMDR Work?
EMDR helps reprocess "stuck" memories from that past that are tied to a negative belief about yourself. Once the memory has been reprocessed with a more helpful, positive belief, the trauma feels less distressing and does not feel so "stuck" anymore. Even if you don't remember the memory, your body does. EMDR helps those who have buried such trauma to heal from it and finally allow the body to relax.
Here’s a simplified breakdown of the EMDR process:
- History and Treatment Planning – Your therapist gathers information and helps identify target memories.
- Preparation – You learn coping strategies to feel safe during sessions.
- Assessment – You identify negative beliefs connected to the trauma and imagine a positive belief to replace it.
- Desensitization – With bilateral stimulation, you focus on the memory, allowing it to shift and reprocess.
- Installation – The positive belief is strengthened.
- Body Scan – You check for physical tension tied to the memory and work to release it.
- Closure – The session ends with grounding and stabilization techniques.
- Reevaluation – Progress is reviewed and new targets may be identified.
Why EMDR Works
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR engages parts of the brain that are necessary to retrieve memories and reprocess them with both sides of the brain.
Studies show EMDR can produce results faster than some other forms of therapy. The World Health Organization and American Psychological Association recognize it as an effective treatment for trauma and PTSD.
Who Can Benefit from EMDR?
EMDR is suitable for a range of issues, including:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Depression
- Phobias
- Complicated grief
- Addiction
- Chronic pain and somatic symptoms
- Low self-esteem and negative core beliefs
What to Expect in a Session
EMDR sessions typically last 60–90 minutes. You remain in control throughout the process, and you don’t have to relive your trauma in graphic detail. Many clients report feeling a shift in their perspective after just a few sessions. At Connected Counseling in Carmel, Indiana, there is a process to determine if EMDR is right for you. If so, our therapists take time to help you create tools of safety outside of sessions prior to starting EMDR. Our therapists then help you determine which memory to start with and we continue with the steps above. Learn more about Trauma Therapy services here.
Final Thoughts
Healing from trauma is possible, and EMDR is a powerful tool that helps many find relief when other therapies fall short. If you’re curious about EMDR, speak to one of our trained therapists to learn more.
