EMDR Therapy
Life isn’t always smooth. In fact, for most people, life will include some level of pain, whether it be physical, emotional, or mental. This pain is temporary, but sometimes it can leave scars. Physical scars generally fade. Psychological scars, on the other hand, can be a lot more resilient.
Anyone is susceptible to trauma. No amount of mental conditioning can make a person immune from being traumatised, and a person’s trauma can have detrimental effects on their psyche.
There are a number of ways that people cope with their trauma. Some turn to behaviours like substance or process addiction. Others find healthy ways to cope with their distress. One of those healthy ways to cope is Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy.
Sivana Rehab understands the complex nature of trauma and how it can affect a person’s life. We also understand that traumatic memories can be addressed, and a person’s traumatic memories can be processed healthily.
What is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) is a type of psychotherapy developed in the late 1980s by Francine Shapiro.
It involves the patient recalling traumatic experiences while receiving one of several kinds of bilateral stimulation. These bilateral stimulations can include side-to-side eye movements or alternating sensations such as gentle taps.
The eye movements are believed to mimic those of Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep and thus stimulate the brain’s natural ability to process memories. It’s believed that doing this while recalling a traumatic memory can allow the brain to process it properly and alleviate the emotional distress associated with it.
EMDR integrates elements from various therapeutic approaches, including cognitive-behavioural, psychodynamic, and somatic therapies.
While EMDR was initially met with scepticism, it has since gained widespread acceptance and is now considered an effective treatment for various psychological conditions, particularly those related to trauma.
Who Needs to Have EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy can be used to treat the symptoms of PTSD or Post-traumatic Stress Disorder; it can be beneficial for anyone who has gone through a traumatic event. This event can be anything that leaves a psychological scar.
While this event can often be participating in war or growing up in a combat zone, it can also be getting involved in a major accident, being the victim of assault or sexual violence, or even witnessing a traumatic event, which can often be enough to traumatise a person.
Phases of EMDR Therapy
There are numerous phases to EMDR treatment, each an integral part of treatment. The phases are as follows:
History-Taking
At this point in treatment, an EMDR therapist takes the patient’s comprehensive history, identifying current issues and life experiences that are causing distress. Then, a treatment plan that focuses on specific targets for EMDR processing is developed.
Preparation
The therapist explains the process to the patient to ensure that they understand what is going to happen and feel safe throughout. Relaxation and stabilisation techniques are introduced to help the client manage emotional distress during and between sessions.
Assessment
The target memory is identified and assessed. The patient rates the distress associated with the memory using the Subjective Units of Disturbance (SUD) scale. They also identify associated negative beliefs and desired positive beliefs.
Desensitisation
The client focuses on the target memory while undergoing bilateral stimulation. This phase continues until the distress associated with the memory is significantly reduced.
Installation
During this phase, positive beliefs are strengthened. The patients focus on a positive belief while performing bilateral stimulation, aiming to enhance its association with the memory being targeted.
Body Scan
At this phase of treatment, the patient mentally scans their body to identify any residual physical tension related to their traumatic memory. Bilateral stimulation processes and releases any physical distress that may remain.
Closure
The therapist ensures the patient returns to a state of equilibrium. Techniques for self-soothing and relaxation are reinforced. The patient is then briefed on what to expect between sessions and how to manage any distress they may encounter.
Re-Evaluation
At the start of succeeding sessions, the therapist assesses the patient’s progress by reviewing memories that have already been processed and identifying new treatment targets. This phase ensures ongoing effectiveness and adaptation of the patient’s treatment.
What Conditions Does EMDR Sessions Treat?
EMDR can be used to treat a variety of psychological conditions. Initially developed for the treatment of PTSD, it has since been found effective for numerous other concerns.
Individuals who suffer from anxiety disorders, depression, and panic disorders, not just those experiencing PTSD symptoms, can benefit from EMDR therapy sessions. It is also used for treating phobias, grief, and the loss of loved ones.
Furthermore, using EMDR therapy can help those dealing with chronic pain and addictions. The therapy is effective for individuals who have experienced physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.
The use of EMDR can help with resolving the emotional impact of difficult life experiences, such as accidents, natural disasters, or combat-related trauma.
By reprocessing these disturbing memories, EMDR can help reduce the lingering effects of these experiences, which can foster emotional healing and resilience.
What is the Recovery Time from EMDR?
The recovery time from EMDR therapy may vary widely based on several factors, including the individual’s specific concerns and condition, the severity of their symptoms, and their individual response to treatment. Some patients can experience significant relief after just a few sessions, while others might require more extensive therapy to see results. Some may not see results at all and may require a different treatment approach to help them.
Generally speaking, a standard course of EMDR treatment is between eight to twelve sessions, but more complex or deeply rooted issues might require more sessions.
Recovery can also depend on the patient’s readiness and willingness to engage with the treatment process. The immediate effects can often include a reduction in the intensity of distressing memories and an improvement in associated symptoms like anxiety or depression.
Long-term recovery can involve integrating these positive changes into day-to-day life and using the coping strategies learned during therapy.
Regular follow-up sessions can help patients maintain their progress and address any new issues that may arise.
How A Patient Can Benefit from EMDR Therapy
A patient can benefit from EMDR therapy in a variety of ways. The chief benefit is that it can reduce the emotional distress associated with traumatic memories. Through reprocessing these memories, patients can experience a significant decrease in symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
EMDR can also help patients develop healthier coping mechanisms and improve their emotional well-being.
Another key benefit is its potential for rapid results compared to traditional talk therapies. Many patients can experience noticeable improvements within just a few sessions, which can be incredibly encouraging for those who have struggled with long-term psychological issues.
Furthermore, EMDR can enhance a patient’s self-esteem and self-efficacy by empowering them to reframe negative beliefs about themselves that were formed during events that traumatised them.
EMDR therapy can also foster a sense of empowerment by letting patients be active participants in their recovery journey.
This therapy can improve relationships and social functioning as patients process and release the emotional baggage that has hindered them in their interactions.
EMDR can offer patients a structured method of recovery, which can also be adapted to each patient’s unique needs.
Your PTSD and Trauma Don’t Define Your Future
The past can’t be changed by any known means. But the effect that it has on the present can be. PTSD and other trauma disorders can hinder a person’s present-day life, but with the right treatment, a person can reclaim their future.
The research indicates that EMDR works and can help many people process what happened to them and reframe their memories so they can be looked back on in a more neutral light. At Sivana Rehab, we can help those who need to process the terrible things that happened to them.