Thankfully, discussions about mental health and resources like therapy are happening more often—in conversations with friends, in the media, pop culture, etc. And one of thing that has been talked about more broadly in the last few years has been a therapeutic approach called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR.
What Is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing?
Eye Movement Desensitization (EMDR) is a therapeutic approach developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. It is deeply rooted in the concept of Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) within neurobiology. To put it simply, the human brain has all the resources it needs for self-healing and the processing of traumatic memories and experiences.
How Does EMDR Work?
EMDR focuses on the integration of traumatic memories through a process known as bilateral stimulation. In EMDR, bilateral stimulation typically involves side-to-side eye movements, where clients move their eyes from left to right during therapy sessions. However, there are other forms of bilateral stimulation—like tapping on the legs or shoulders from side to side, for example.
Concerns EMDR Might Be Used For:
While talk therapy can be a wonderful source of support, here are a few areas where EMDR has been found to be effective and why some individuals may consider working with an EMDR therapist:
Anxiety and Phobias: EMDR can be beneficial for individuals dealing with anxiety disorders or specific phobias, helping them to desensitize and reprocess triggering situations or stimuli.
Depression: Some people with depression find EMDR helpful in addressing underlying traumatic experiences or negative beliefs that contribute to their depressive symptoms.
Grief and Loss: EMDR can support navigating grief and loss by assisting individuals in processing the complex emotions and memories associated with the death of a loved one or other experiences of loss.
Stress Management: EMDR can help people develop better coping mechanisms for dealing with stress and emotional triggers.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): EMDR is particularly effective in treating PTSD and its associated symptoms, including flashbacks, nightmares, and anxiety.
Traumatic Memories or Experiences: Individuals struggling with the impact of traumatic memories or events from their past may seek EMDR to process and reduce the emotional distress associated with these memories.
Relationship Issues: Individuals experiencing difficulties in their relationships due to past trauma or negative experiences may use EMDR to improve communication and emotional well-being.
Self-Esteem and Self-Worth: EMDR can be valuable for those working on improving their self-esteem and self-worth by addressing past experiences that have contributed to feelings of inadequacy.
EMDR therapy is a wonderful tool and approach that can be effective, but it’s also important to note that it may not be right for everyone. , It’s important to talk with a qualified mental health professional to determine if EMDR might be right for you.
Common Questions About EMDR Therapy in Portland, Oregon
Q: How Many Sessions Does It Take to Complete EMDR?
A: This will depend on a variety of factors. For example, if you’re starting with a brand new therapist, you will likely take several sessions exploring your goals, history, and readiness for the EMDR process. And beyond that, you may complete processing of one particular experience or event, and other memories, or core negative beliefs may surface that you want to process as well. Generally, it is said that short-term EMDR therapy can be done in 6 to 10 sessions, but, again, this might look different for each individual.
Q: Is EMDR Therapy Effective When It’s Done Virtually?
A: Yes! EMDR can be just as effective as in-person EMDR therapy. Of course, there are some instances where some individuals will prefer to be in person for this type of work, but the process itself can be done in either format.
Q: I Can’t Think of a Traumatic Experience I would want to explore—can I still benefit from EMDR?
A: Yes! As we mentioned earlier in this post, there are many concerns that EMDR can help to address. One core component of EMDR therapy is the desensitization of deep-seated negative beliefs and using the EMDR process to replace those with positive beliefs. This alone is powerful and may have a profound impact on an individuals relationship to themselves and others.
Q: Can I do talk therapy before or after completing EMDR Therapy?
A: Of course. In fact, some clients find that they want to have at least a few therapy sessions before transitioning into EMDR work because they can build rapport with their therapist which can contribute to a client’s sense of comfort in this deep work. Additionally, continuing with talk therapy after can be helpful because you can use any gained insight, new core beliefs, and integrate those into your sessions, whatever you might be exploring along the way.
Work with An EMDR Trauma Therapist in Oregon
Finding the right therapist can take time and it’s important to feel like it’s a good fit when doing EMDR therapy sessions. Book a 15-minute phone consultation to learn more about EMDR therapy and to determine if working together feels like a good fit.