The Science Behind EMDR Therapy
We all have our fair share of life experiences that leave us feeling shaken and emotionally drained. Some experiences can be a small bother, and some can be downright traumatic. Trauma can manifest itself in various ways, such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, or even physical symptoms such as chronic pain. There are a few effective psychotherapy models for trauma. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy was developed in 1987 and has gained popularity in the past several years. Most people who come to our clinic for EMDR therapy have 2 questions: “Is there a right way to do it?” and “How the heck does it work?!
The first question has a straightforward answer - there isn’t a “right” way for you to feel or “do” EMDR for it to be helpful for you. The client cannot “mess up” EMDR. If you have beliefs that get in the way of your progress, your EMDR therapist may work with you on those beliefs first. Whatever comes up for you is what comes up, and an EMDR therapist is trained to help you work through it.
The second answer, about how the heck this works, is rooted in science. EMDR is a brain-based approach with scientific research backing up its efficacy. We’ll break down how EMDR works a little further in this blog.
The Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) Model
EMDR therapy is based on the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model. AIP gives us an understanding of how the brain processes and stores information in memory. Traumatic experiences can cause our brain to become "stuck" in a particular way of thinking. Things like "It's my fault", "I should have known" or other unhelpful thoughts. People may also experience intense negative emotions when they think about the past trauma. They may avoid things that remind them of the trauma as a way to cope. They may even feel like they are reliving traumas from the past.
EMDR therapy, using what we know from the AIP model, works by targeting the brain's neural pathways associated with traumatic experiences. This targeted approach allows the brain to reprocess the trauma. People often gain a clearer understanding of their past traumatic event. Through the use of EMDR, they are able to shift away from their old thoughts such as self-blame and shame. They experience less emotional "bothering" when they think of the trauma.
The Role of Eye Movements in EMDR Therapy
During EMDR therapy, the client briefly focuses on a part of their disturbing memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation. Bilateral stimulation is most commonly done with eye movements. Your EMDR therapist may use hand-held tappers or pulsars, light or sound bar. There are online resources for virtual EMDR therapy sessions. Bilateral stimulation activates the brain’s neural pathways, making it possible for the brain to reprocess the memory in a supportive session with a trained therapist.
The Importance of Emotional Regulation in EMDR Therapy
Traumatic memories can be overwhelming and trigger intense emotional responses. During the beginning phases of EMDR, the therapist works with the client to develop positive resources (coping skills). Resources can be used during and between therapy sessions.
Efficacy of EMDR Therapy
Research has shown that EMDR therapy can significantly reduce the symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression. It is also effective in treating other mental health conditions such as phobias, addictions, and eating disorders. EMDR isn’t for everyone, though. It’s important to have a skilled EMDR therapist assess your readiness for this approach.
Comparison of EMDR Therapy with Other Psychotherapies
EMDR therapy has some benefits over other trauma therapy approaches. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR therapy can help individuals reprocess traumatic memories more quickly and effectively. There is a lower risk of retraumatization in therapy. So, it's a gentler trauma-informed approach.
