EMDR Explained
Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence based treatment that can help people recover from PTSD, trauma and disturbing experiences. People experiencing anxiety and depression can also benefit from EMDR.
EMDR is endorsed by the World Health Organisation, and is an approved Focused Psychological Strategy by Medicare. It aims to:
- Make traumatic memories feel less disturbing, so they no longer feel overwhelming
- Reduce anxiety and depression symptoms
- Reduce the intensity and frequency of trauma responses
- Increasing self worth and wellbeing
EMDR can help to reduce the power past experiences have over your present life.
How does EMDR work?
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to change the way a memory is stored in the brain. Through this process, new pathways and connections are created in the brain that support integration and healing. When targeted through EMDR treatment, memories become less distressing and can be remembered rather than re-experienced.
Bilateral stimulation refers to actions that moves back and forth across the body. There are different forms of bilateral stimulation that can be used, depending on what feels best for your body:
- Eye movements (moving your eyes from left to right following your therapists’ fingers)
- Tapping (with your own hands, tapping on your knees or chest using alternating hands)
- Sound (using headphones to listen to sound going from left ear, to right ear)
What does an EMDR session look like?
EMDR is a structured therapy that moves through different stages as treatment progresses.
To begin, your therapist will spend time learning about your current worries and symptoms as well as taking a detailed history. This will help to create a treatment plan, targeting the specific memories and experiences that are contributing to your present concerns.
From there, time will be spent adding to your tool belt of coping skills. EMDR uses specific strategies and exercises to help manage distressing thoughts, feelings and sensations. These resources are practiced in the safe space of counselling sessions, so you’re able to draw on them as you navigate daily life and move into the next stage of treatment.
In the desensitation and processing stage, clients are asked to recall a memory while utilising bilateral stimulation. As the memory is processed, the brain is able to ‘shift’ and ‘unstick’ memories and incorporate new, adaptive information. Through this process, clients are also supported to address future triggers.
