Eye Movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)

What is it?

EMDR is a type of therapy incorporating the use of eye movements in which trauma is “re-processed.” EMDR is a complex but useful form of therapy that helps people integrate thoughts and feelings to align more effectively.

Eye movements are conducted via hand movement, or use of a light bar pictured below. This moves light back and forth left to right. The therapist decides the pace of the light, depending on what part of the protocol is being practiced and your ability to move your eyes that quickly. Therapists also consider the pace of what the client feels comfortable with. There are also little hand held devices we call Tappers that alternate vibrations in your hands and headphones that alternate beeps.

What does it do?

EMDR helps people integrate and make real the challenging thoughts that people have about their trauma or beliefs about themselves in a cohesive way. For instance, knowing something isn’t your fault, telling yourself over and over, and it just doesn’t stick. This is where EMDR helps you put these two together and its like a light bulb- wait it wasn’t my fault! Suddenly, your body and mind believe it.

Now for some caveats, while this sounds amazing and the solution to all of your problems…. there are some factors to consider. If you are in an acute of a state of trauma, EMDR may not be effective. In EMDR you will have feelings, typically big feelings, which may also cause dissociation. So in that case, there are some alternative options. EMDR can be used to calm the nervous system and create safe calming internal places to go when things are too distressing or there are other methods within EMDR that help reduce dissociation. You and your therapist will assess your readiness for EMDR. If it feels too big, then we don’t do EMDR.

EMDR has a protocol that we follow to ensure its effectiveness and sometimes it just isn’t effective or right for some people. Sometimes old fashioned talk therapy is how we start and make our way into EMDR.