I went through EMDR and I liked it!

If you have been searching for a therapist, you may have seen or heard about EMDR. EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, which 1) sounds pretty intimidating and 2) what the heck does that even mean?

Let’s break it down. Many of us are aware that every night, the body processes the events of the day through Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. You might also know that REM sleep involves movement of the eyes from side to side.

EMDR therapy sometimes involves the same side-to-side eye movement, or Bilateral Stimulation (BLS) where the therapist guides the client’s eyes with their hands, a specially designed light bar, or an app. We know through research that this side-to-side eye movement helps us process information and memories.

Sometimes, the therapist may choose another form of BLS called Dual Attention Stimulus (DAS) such as specifically designed tapping devices, or, my favorite, a butterfly hug, which simply involves placing your hands on opposite shoulders and tapping your shoulders with your hands. Additional research has shown that the dual attention allows the brain to reprocess old memories by weakening the emotional impact of that memory and allowing for new ways of thinking about it.

Watch this video for a brief overview of EMDR:

Who could benefit from EMDR?

• people with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• people with Complex PTSD (trauma that occurs during young childhood development)

• people with other upsetting experiences, such as a traumatic birth, accident, and more

• people with unresolved grief

• people with phobias

• people with addictions (to food, intimate relationships, gambling, disordered eating, and more)

How is EMDR different from other types of trauma treatments?

Most trauma treatments involve a lengthy, “narrative” approach which involves telling the story of the trauma.

Some benefits of EMDR over other trauma treatments:

-       Clients often see results with EMDR in a much shorter timeframe

-       No memory of the trauma is needed

-       Clients don’t have to have a diagnosis of PTSD

-       It can easily be done virtually

-       It can be less upsetting than telling the story of the trauma or event

My experience with EMDR

As part of training, we all agreed to be treated with EMDR by our training partner. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it was a pretty cool experience! I chose to work on a car accident from 20 years ago that still caused me a lot of distress every time I had to drive in the snow (and in Maryland, you can’t avoid that!). Notice I said “caused” as in – past tense. After completing one EMDR session on this incident, I feel ready to drive in the snow without so much distress (individual results may vary).

Are you ready to hear more?

If you feel like you’re not able to live a full life because of a past event, EMDR might help! At Blake Psychotherapy & Consulting, I provide EMDR and other trauma modalities to help you get “unstuck.” Reach out for a free consultation call today - we'll discuss your needs and how I can support you. 

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