What is EMDR?

What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, otherwise known as EMDR is a therapy modality most recognized for its empirical support as a trauma treatment, however, research continues to identify EMDR’s effectiveness with a wide range of disorders including depression, phobias, addiction, OCD, and chronic pain.

EMDR is informed by the Adaptive Information Processing Model which considers symptoms to be the result of past experiences that continue to cause distress in the present due to inadequate processing of memories. These memories are said to encompass emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations that occurred alongside the original experience. When the memory is triggered, all accompanying elements are also activated, causing the symptoms of disorders, such as flashbacks in the case of PTSD.

 Whereas modalities such as CBT focus on altering the thoughts and responses resulting from traumatic experiences, EMDR targets the memories of a traumatic experience and works to change the way these memories are stored, resulting in the reduction and elimination of problematic symptoms.

The reprocessing of memories incorporates the use of bilateral stimulation, which can include eye movements, tapping, or tones. Clients are asked to focus on a target memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulations, in brief repetitive sets, which reduces the vividness and emotional intensity associated with the memory.

 References

 American Psychological Association. (2017, July 31). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy. https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/treatments/eye-movement-reprocessing

 Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy: Basic principles, protocols, and procedures. (3rd edition). Guildford Press.