Exploring EMDR Therapy

If you’ve ever found yourself struggling with overwhelming emotions from past events or trauma, you might have heard of EMDR therapy but wondered what it’s all about. Well, let me take you on a journey through my own experience with EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy and explain how this fascinating approach can help you too. 

What Is EMDR Therapy? 

EMDR is a unique and powerful therapeutic approach developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. At its core, EMDR is designed to help people process and heal from traumatic memories and negative experiences. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR involves a combination of guided eye movements (or other forms of bilateral stimulation) and structured sessions that target distressing memories. 

The therapy is based on the idea that traumatic experiences can become "stuck" in the brain and cause ongoing distress. These memories can trigger intense emotional and physical reactions, even long after the event has passed. EMDR helps to reprocess these memories, allowing them to be stored in a less distressing way and reducing their emotional charge. 

How Does EMDR Work? 

The process of EMDR involves several key phases: 

1. History-Taking: The therapist and you will discuss your history and identify specific memories or issues that you want to work on. 
2. Preparation: You’ll learn techniques to manage emotional distress, like relaxation exercises, to ensure you’re equipped to handle any emotions that may arise during the process. 
3. Assessment: This phase involves identifying the negative beliefs you hold about yourself related to the traumatic memory and what positive beliefs you want to replace them with. 
4. Desensitization: Here’s where the magic happens. You’ll focus on the traumatic memory while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation (usually guided eye movements, but sometimes tapping or auditory tones). This helps to process the memory and reduce its emotional intensity. 
5. Installation: You’ll work on reinforcing positive beliefs related to the traumatic experience.
6. Body Scan: You’ll check for any residual tension or discomfort in your body related to the memory and address it. 
7. Closure: The session ends with grounding techniques to ensure you feel stable and safe. 
8. Reevaluation: In subsequent sessions, your therapist will check in on how you’re feeling about the memory and make any necessary adjustments. 

When Is EMDR Therapy Helpful? 

EMDR therapy can be incredibly beneficial in a variety of situations, particularly when dealing with: 

• Trauma: Whether it’s from a single event like an accident or ongoing issues like abuse, EMDR helps process traumatic experiences. 
• PTSD: People with PTSD often find relief through EMDR as it helps them process and integrate traumatic memories. 
• Anxiety: If past traumas contribute to ongoing anxiety, EMDR can help address and reduce these issues. 
• Depression: Sometimes, unresolved traumatic memories can contribute to feelings of depression. EMDR can be a valuable tool in addressing these underlying issues. 
• Phobias: For phobias rooted in past experiences, EMDR can help reprocess those memories, reducing their intensity. 

My Personal Experience with EMDR 

Let me share a bit about my own journey with EMDR therapy. I had always struggled with lingering negative emotions from a particularly challenging period in my life. Despite various forms of therapy, those memories felt like they had a life of their own, constantly triggering intense feelings that were hard to manage. 

When I first tried EMDR, I was skeptical but hopeful. The process was a bit unusual—I wasn’t used to focusing on distressing memories while following my therapist’s moving fingers with my eyes. But something remarkable happened. Over the course of a few sessions, those memories started to lose their emotional grip on me. The distress I felt when thinking about these events began to fade, and I noticed I was reacting to triggers in a much more balanced way. 

It wasn’t a magic fix—healing took time and effort—but the change was profound. I felt more in control of my emotions and could engage with my past experiences in a healthier way. The sense of relief and the ability to move forward without being overshadowed by these past traumas was a game changer for me. 

Final Thoughts 

EMDR therapy offers a unique and effective approach to healing from trauma and negative experiences. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, but for many people, including myself, it provides a pathway to significant emotional relief and recovery. If you’re dealing with persistent emotional pain related to past events, EMDR might be worth exploring. 

Remember, finding the right therapy is a personal journey. If you think EMDR could be beneficial, consider reaching out to a qualified therapist who specializes in this approach. At Eckert Centre we provide EMDR therapy for children, teens and adults - go to www.eckertcentre.com  and click the appointment button to book EMDR now.  And, as always, it’s important to find a treatment that resonates with you and supports your path to healing. 

Thanks for joining me on this exploration of EMDR. I hope sharing my experience helps you understand more about this powerful therapy and how it might offer you a path to emotional well-being. 

Madison is a Psychology Assistant; Digital Marketing Assistant at Eckert Centre. She's currently deepening her understanding of psychology at the University of British Columbia. Madison brings her passion for mental health to our community through her writing. As our blogger in residence, her contributions offer a fresh perspective and shed light on the importance of mental wellbeing. We are grateful for her eloquent words and the insights she shares on her journey towards cultivating a "Wise Self." For more insights, information, or to book an appointment, please visit www.eckertcentre.com or reach out to our team at info@eckertpsychology.com.