Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) 

How does EMDR therapy work?

EMDR works with your brain’s natural way of processing memories - and helps reprocess them so that when you remember a stressful experience, it’s no longer as disturbing or bothersome.

When we’re in a stressful or traumatic situation, the brain isn’t able to store memories properly. These memories get stored as fragmented sensory experiences that leave us feeling really overwhelmed, upset, vulnerable, or “back in the moment”, rather than as story-like, narrative memories that feel more neutral to recall.

EMDR is a phased treatment protocol that addresses the past, present, and future.

Initial sessions are spent identifying what you’d like to work on, and improving your ability to manage distress. We’ll help you build specific skills and self-soothing techniques to use both inside and outside of session.

When you’re ready to reprocess, you’ll be asked to focus on a specific memory, and pay attention to related negative imagery, beliefs, emotions, and body sensations.

While you’re focused on this, your therapist will apply sets of bilateral stimulation and invite you to notice what comes to mind after each set. We repeat this process until the memory becomes less distressing; you begin to notice more neutral body sensations and positive beliefs begin to take root.

What is bilateral stimulation? What is dual attention stimulus?

Bilateral stimulation, sometimes also called dual attention stimulus, is a rhythmic sensory pattern that crosses the body on alternating sides, and repeatedly activates opposite sides of the brain. You might unknowingly do some of this throughout your day - walking, running, alternating tapping hands or swaying your body when you’re listening to music are all examples of bilateral stimulation!

In EMDR, we call this motion the dual attention stimulus. It’s traditionally eye movements (hence the name of the treatment), but we can also use other body movements and sensations (most of our clients prefer tapping) that are done while you’re reprocessing a negative memory. This technique allows the brain to move through distressing material while remaining in the present moment.

What is it like to experience EMDR?

How is EMDR different from other therapies?

EMDR therapy does NOT require talking in depth about your memories.

Talk therapies primarily engage your brain’s prefrontal cortex - which isn’t bad! That’s useful for lots of things. However, talking (engaging the prefrontal cortex) is simply not as effective at resolving traumatic or overwhelming memories because it’s not engaging the part of the brain where the trauma memories are stored.

Is EMDR like hypnosis?

No. Hypnosis aims to achieve an altered state of deep relaxation. EMDR sessions begin with intentionally connecting to negative emotions, so your brain can repair the associated memory.

Hypnosis focuses on continuing to remain in a single state of deep relaxation. In EMDR, your clinician will help you maintain a dual awareness of the present moment while you’re recalling distressing memories and sensations.

What does research say about EMDR therapy?

Twenty-four randomized controlled trials support the positive effects of EMDR therapy in the treatment of emotional trauma and other adverse life experiences relevant to clinical practice.

Seven of 10 studies reported EMDR therapy to be more rapid and/or more effective than trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy.

Twelve randomized studies of the eye movement component noted rapid decreases in negative emotions and/or vividness of disturbing images, with an additional 8 reporting a variety of other memory effects.

Numerous other evaluations document that EMDR therapy provides relief from a variety of somatic complaints.

How long is EMDR therapy? How long does EMDR take?

A typical EMDR therapy session is weekly for 60 minutes. Please discuss with your therapist if you would like to schedule a session longer than the typical hour. Laurie offers Intensive EMDR sessions which allows for quicker healing in shorter time. Contact Laurie for more information at 816-237-8845 or laurie@tglcounseling.com.

The length of treatment depends on what you want to focus on. Sometimes clients can resolve a negative belief or memory in just a few sessions, other times (usually with more complex trauma, or more things to focus on) it can take longer. EMDR Intensives are a great opportunity for clients wanting fast, lasting results of therapy.

EMDR therapy is a phased approach, and each client is unique. Some clients move through phases quicker than others. Your brain and body will guide you as you are ready and we will support you every step of the way.