Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR Therapy is a way to work through troubling thoughts, feelings and behaviours related to traumatic events. It helps build coping skills and increases a client’s sense of self-worth.
EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue, it rather focuses on changing the emotions, thoughts or behaviours resulting from the traumatic issue, allowing the brain to resume its natural healing process.
The Process
1. History
Discussion of medical history and work to pinpoint traumatic memories.
2. Preparation
Briefed with the EMDR process, becomes familiar with the technique.
3. Assessment
Guided to identify specific components of the traumatic memory, chooses a negative cognition and identifies a positive.
4. Desensitisation
Patient is asked to focus on negative emotion whilst moving eyes back and forth.
5. Installation
Negative cognition is replaced with the positive.
6. Body Scan
Patient is asked to recall the traumatic memory and if recollection of memory causes negative response, repeat Step 4.
7. Closure
Effectively ends EMDR treatment.
8. Re-Evaluation
Therapist will reevaluate distress levels and positive cognition.
EMDR therapy begins to strengthen the individual’s sense of safety and builds skills to cope with feelings like fear, anger and sadness relating to the event. The individual might experience shifts in insight, changes in images, feelings or beliefs regarding the event. After EMDR, the traumatic event may feel like “just something that happened”, and no longer linked to distressing emotions.