Some experiences stay with you in ways that are hard to explain. You may know logically that a situation is over, but your body and emotions react as if it is still happening. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, known as EMDR, is a therapy approach designed to help your brain process those stuck experiences so they no longer carry the same intensity.
At Artisan Counseling, several of our licensed counselors are trained in EMDR and use it as part of individual counseling for clients dealing with trauma, distressing memories and other concerns.
EMDR is a structured therapy developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. It is based on the Adaptive Information Processing model, which proposes that distress occurs when memories are not fully processed by the brain. When a memory is stored with the original emotions, body sensations and beliefs attached to it, it can be triggered by present-day events and cause reactions that feel out of proportion to what is happening now.
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, most commonly guided eye movements, to activate the brain’s natural processing system. This allows the memory to be reprocessed and stored in a way that reduces its emotional charge.
EMDR is recognized as an effective treatment for trauma by the World Health Organization, the American Psychological Association and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Research published in the Journal of EMDR Practice and Research has demonstrated its effectiveness across PTSD, anxiety, phobias, grief and other conditions.
EMDR does not require you to talk in detail about what happened. It does not involve homework in the traditional sense. And it does not rely on changing your thoughts through logic, as cognitive approaches do. It works by helping your brain do what it is already designed to do: process and store experiences in a way that allows you to move forward.
When you experience something overwhelming, your brain’s normal processing system can become disrupted. The memory gets stored in its raw form, with the sights, sounds, emotions and physical sensations still attached. This is why a trauma memory can feel as if it is happening in the present rather than in the past.
EMDR targets these unprocessed memories directly. Through bilateral stimulation, the brain is able to reprocess the memory and file it in a way that separates the factual content from the emotional and physical responses.
After successful EMDR processing, many clients report that:
EMDR does not erase memories. It changes how those memories are stored so they no longer control how you feel and react in the present.
This process can also apply to experiences that may not meet the clinical definition of trauma but still carry weight. Many clients use EMDR to address painful childhood experiences, losses, medical procedures, accidents, relationship wounds and other distressing events.
EMDR follows an eight-phase protocol. Not every phase takes place in every session, and the pace of treatment is adjusted to fit your needs.
Your counselor will ask about your history and the concerns that brought you to therapy. Together, you will identify the memories and experiences to target during EMDR processing. This phase also includes a discussion of your goals and what you want to feel differently about.
Before beginning processing, your counselor will make sure you have the tools to manage distress. This may include grounding techniques, breathing exercises or visualization strategies. Your counselor will also explain the EMDR process in detail so you know what to expect.
Your counselor will ask you to bring the target memory to mind along with the image, negative belief, emotions and body sensations associated with it. You will also identify the positive belief you would like to hold instead.
This is where bilateral stimulation occurs. Your counselor will guide you through sets of eye movements, taps or auditory tones while you hold the target memory in mind. Between sets, your counselor will check in with you about what you are noticing. The process continues until the distress associated with the memory has decreased and the positive belief feels more true.
Your counselor will also do a body scan to check for any remaining physical tension related to the memory.
At the start of each new session, your counselor will check in about the previous session’s work. This includes assessing how you felt between sessions and determining if additional processing is needed on the same memory or if it is time to move to the next target.
A single memory may be fully processed in one to three sessions. More layered histories may take longer.
EMDR was originally developed for post-traumatic stress, but research has expanded its application to a number of other concerns. You may benefit from EMDR if you are dealing with:
EMDR is used with adults and can be adapted for adolescents. Your counselor will assess if EMDR is a good fit for your situation or if another approach may be more appropriate.
Some clients use EMDR as a standalone treatment. Others incorporate it into a broader course of therapy that includes talk-based approaches. Your counselor will discuss your options with you.
Yes. EMDR is an evidence-based treatment recognized by multiple national and international health organizations. It is practiced by licensed counselors who have completed specialized training. Your counselor will ensure you are prepared before beginning any processing.
Yes. EMDR does not require a complete narrative of what happened. It works with whatever fragments of the memory are present, including images, feelings and body sensations.
This depends on the number of memories being targeted and how your brain responds to processing. Some clients experience relief within a few sessions. Others with longer trauma histories may need more time.
No. EMDR does not require you to provide a detailed account of your experience. You will need to briefly identify the memory, but you do not have to narrate it. Much of the processing happens internally.
Most clients follow the counselor’s hand movements with their eyes while holding a memory in mind. Some counselors use tapping or tones instead. The experience is not painful. Some clients describe it as tiring, and it is common to feel emotional during or after a session.
Yes. Several of our counselors offer EMDR through telehealth using adapted bilateral stimulation methods that are effective in a virtual setting.
EMDR is a recognized form of therapy and is typically covered under most insurance plans. Contact your provider or our office at 757.503.2819 to confirm your benefits.
If your counselor determines that EMDR is not the best approach for your situation, they will recommend an alternative. At Artisan Counseling, our counselors are trained in multiple modalities including CBT, DBT, somatic therapy, brainspotting and art therapy.