EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a mental health treatment technique that can enable recovery from challenges caused by experiencing traumatic life events. Studies have shown that EMDR therapy helps some people make progress who were unsuccessful in talk therapy.
At Authentic Alliance, this innovative approach is part of a comprehensive therapeutic experience. Our therapists are dedicated to collaborating with clients to uncover the root of their struggles and create tailored plans for success, ensuring that they receive the most effective and efficient care possible.
Key points
- EMDR has been shown to be effective in addressing traumatic experiences.
- EMDR is often less stressful than other forms of therapy.
- In some cases, you can experience tangible benefits relatively quickly.
- A single traumatic event can usually be processed in 3-6 sessions. More complex trauma typically requires 8-12 sessions.
In this article...
Overview of EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapy designed to help people heal from trauma, panic attacks, and distressing memories. It works by using guided eye movements and other forms of bilateral stimulation to help the brain reprocess how it stores traumatic experiences, reducing their emotional intensity and long-term impact.
Although the exact mechanisms behind EMDR are still not fully understood, numerous research studies and controlled clinical trials have shown it to be an effective and evidence-based treatment for trauma-related issues.
What issues can EMDR treat?
EMDR is a versatile and evidence-based therapy commonly used to address a wide range of emotional and psychological challenges, including:
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related conditions
- Upsetting memories from a single events like a rape, assault, or a death
- Anxiety disorders, such as panic attacks, social anxiety, phobias, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Depression
- Eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating
- Hoarding behaviors
- Personality disorders, such as borderline, avoidant, and antisocial personality disorders
What happens in EMDR
During an EMDR session, you will be guided through a process that utilizes both your body and mind to help transform painful memories. The therapist will work with you to identify a specific memory or event to target and process using EMDR procedures.
You’ll begin by identifying a visual image related to the memory, its negative beliefs, and the emotions and physical sensations connected to the event.
As you focus on the memory, your therapist will initiate sets of side-to-side eye movements, sounds, or taps, guiding you to observe any thoughts or feelings that arise after each set. This process may lead to new insights or shifts in how you perceive the event, including changes in associated images, emotions, or beliefs.
When EMDR is effective, it can help transform the emotional significance of painful memories at a deep level.
Typically, treatment begins with a thorough history-taking, and EMDR is often paired with learning coping strategies to help manage distressing memories when they resurface.
What you can hope to gain in EMDR
Certain sounds, smells, or sights can trigger memories of past trauma, leading to flashbacks—uncontrolled access to complex memories. These flashbacks can evoke overwhelming emotions, such as panic, fear, or anger.
In EMDR, you’ll revisit traumatic memories and “reprocess” them, transforming how your brain stores the event.
This reprocessing helps “repair” the emotional damage caused by the trauma. The goal is for you to recall the memory without feeling as though you are reliving the event. Over time, the emotions tied to the memory will become more manageable.
What are the upsides and downsides of EMDR?
- EMDR can help you resolve issues without speaking in detail about your experiences.
- Often, you can experience tangible results more rapidly than other forms of therapy.
- Controlled trials and research studies have shown that EMDR can be effective in overcoming the effects of trauma.
- It requires less work. EMDR doesn’t require journaling or homework between sessions.
EMDR also has limitations. The most important limitation is that EMDR has been shown to be effective when traumatic experiences are at the root of your difficulties.
Let’s connect
If you are ready to begin your healing journey and take your life back from trauma and other mental health challenges, we would be honored to work with you. Call or fill out the contact form below to schedule your complimentary consultation. We look forward to hearing from you.
Related information
Mavranezouli, I., Megnin-Viggars, O., Daly, C., Dias, S., Welton, N.J., Stockton, S., Bhutani, G., Grey, N., Leach, J., Greenberg, N., Katona, C., El-Leithy, S.M., & Pilling, S. (2020). Psychological treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder in adults: a network meta-analysis. Psychological Medicine, 50, 542 – 555.
Perlini, C., Donisi, V., Rossetti, M.G., Moltrasio, C., Bellani, M., & Brambilla, P. (2020). The potential role of EMDR on trauma in affective disorders: A narrative review. Journal of affective disorders, 269, 1-11.
Perri, R.L., Castelli, P., La Rosa, C., Zucchi, T., & Onofri, A. (2021). COVID-19, Isolation, Quarantine: On the Efficacy of Internet-Based Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Ongoing Trauma. Brain Sciences, 11.
Website of The EMDR International Association (EMDRIA).
