Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Processing Traumatic Memories to Relieve Stress

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy has been used to treat people suffering from trauma and severe emotional distress for over thirty years. It is based on the theory that when we suffer a traumatic event, it alters the way our brain works. So, by engaging in rapid eye movement while recalling the event and replacing negative beliefs with positive ones, we are able to  reset our neural pathways. This in turn releases the blockage in our brain that is causing us pain. 

EMDR Therapy is administered in eight phases:

• Phase 1: Client History & Treatment Planning

The therapist begins by learning as much about the client as possible. They make note of incidents in the past and present that are causing emotional distress and make note of potential targets for the therapy. After doing this, the therapist creates a treatment plan. 

• Phase 2: Preparation

The therapist explains the process and makes sure that the client has strategies and outlets for coping with emotional distress such as breathing exercises, visualizations and other stress management techniques.

• Phase 3: Assessment 

In this phase the therapist walks the client through the target memory making note of visual imagery, the negative beliefs about themselves related to the memory, and the sensations that come up in their body when they are focusing on the memory.

• Phase 4: Desensitization  

In this phase the client recalls the memory while engaging with the eye movements as instructed by the therapist. The client will revisit the memory while continuing the eye movement exercises until the memory is no longer distressing. 

• Phase 5: Installation 

During this phase the therapist prompts the client to think of a positive belief they would like to call upon to replace the negative belief associated with the target memory. 

• Phase 6: Body Scan  

In this phase the therapist asks the client to recall the target memory with the new positive belief, and notice any sensations that occur in their body. 

• Phase 7: Closure

If the targeted memory was not fully processed in a single session, the therapist will offer techniques for managing the feelings that may arise in between sessions. The therapist may suggest the client keep a daily log of any emotions that arise, and any associated manifestations in the body. 

• Phase 8: Reevaluation

Follow-up sessions begin with phase eight. The therapist will evaluate the progress made thus far, and determine whether to continue with a previous target memory or move on to a new one. 

When we are exposed to trauma, it is sometimes our natural inclination to avoid and ignore what has happened, but EMDR helps us to face and reframe our experience. 

References:

What is EMDR? on emdr.com

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy on apa.org

What is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy? on the Psych Hub channel on Youtube.