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EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

11/1/2016

4 Comments

 
Picture
EMDR Therapy
EMDR is a form of Therapy that I have wanted to be trained in since before I began Grad School. It is a therapy that I deeply believe in and have seen the benefits of the therapy first hand. I am so excited, because I just finished my 4 weekend training and now have the opportunity to incorporate it into Therapy with my clients. I thought that it would be helpful to write a blog on EMDR to help give a little more understanding about it, as not many people have heard of it.. It is commonly used with clients who have experienced Trauma, but it can also be used to help with anxiety, depression, and substance abuse, just to name a few.  EMDR helps to reprocess memories that have not previously been processed. ​
What is EMDR?

EMDR is multi-faceted in that it reprocesses memories, as well as can help process residual memories within the body. 

Have you ever gone to bed feeling unsure and upset about a situation, but the next day you wake up feeling like you have clarity? What you experienced was your brain reactivating the memory to that it could process it through REM sleep. EMDR is similar to this in the way that it helps our brain reprocess memories that have previously been unprocessed. 

For most, memories are held and there is very little charge that is associated with that memory. However, for someone that has experienced a stressful or traumatic experience, their memories of this event can hold a lot of charge. So what does it mean for a memory to hold a charge? It means that the memory is stored in the brain in such a way that it contains vivid pictures, sounds, body sensations, or thoughts. ​

Trauma is very body oriented. Most often, we think that the only part of our bodies affected by trauma is our brain. In fact it is somewhat the opposite. Trauma is very body-oriented. When our body senses danger, it goes into fight or flight and adrenaline is released throughout our entire body. Therefore, when someone traumatic occurs, our body is very much involved in the process. Therefore, our body can produce body memories, which is the body remembering the trauma, rather than the brain and physically gives the feeling that was had during the trauma. 

How does EMDR work?
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation through alternating eye movements. These alternating eye movements help the brain to reprocess the way memories are stored. Once the memory is processed, it no longer holds the charge that it once did. 

Throughout EMDR body sensations, thoughts, emotions and memories can resurface. These can be fairly vivid in the beginning. However, the purpose of EMDR is to minimize the disturbance that these memories hold and have them hold the significance that any other memory would hold. 

How long does EMDR therapy usually take?

As with all therapy, the amount of sessions vary based on the client and what they are experiencing. Sessions are catered to each individual client.

Typically though, there at least 3-4 sessions at minimum prior to starting the EMDR processing begins. Again, depending on the client, this amount could be more or less. 

Once the EMDR processing begins, there may be 4-6 additional sessions, but again, it may be necessary for more sessions. 

Misconceptions of EMDR

1. EMDR is hypnosis

EMDR is not hypnosis. You are completely in control of your body the entire time that EMDR is occurring. You can stop at anytime simply by saying stop or raising your hand. 

2. EMDR erases your memories 
A common misconception of EMDR is that it will erase the memories that one has. This is not the case. Throughout EMDR, the goal is to acknowledge the memory without the charge coming along with it. For example: Lets say that someone was in a car accident. Prior to EMDR, they would most likely have body memories, flashbacks, possible nightmares, and a rush of emotions. After completing EMDR and reprocessing the car accident, they would still remember that the car accident happened, but they would not have the physiological response and their nightmares would subside. The goal is to be able to recognize a memory without having such a negative response to it. They can recognize that happened, but they would understand that they survived the accident and are able to think back on it without such a charged response. 

EMDR can actually help people remember memories that they may have forgotten. This is not guaranteed to happen every time, but it is possible. 

Does this form of Therapy interest you or do you know someone that would benefit from receiving this Therapy? Please do not hesitate to contact me to ask questions or to set up an appointment. 

I would also love to hear any comments from those who have tried EMDR. 

Brittany Wingfield
4 Comments
Hannes van Staden
4/25/2019 04:40:20 pm

Good day

Thank you for a very informative article.

Unfortunately, I do not merely want to erase or reprocess the connections to a particular memory. I want to completely erase the memory in toto, either by making it impossible for my working memory to access it, or by "scrambling" only that portion of my long-term memory. Is such a thing possible at all?

I have been doing a lot of reading about neuroplasticity and the role of the hippocampus, and have been consulting with a professor of psychology and neuroscience at the university where I am currently studying. (As for myself, I have decided to make a complete career change at the age of 39. Being a very curious and inquisitive person, I have decided to pursue a career in auditing)

I am in therapy at the moment, where a very comprehensive diagnosis was performed (including various questionnaires and a lot of interviews and discussions), and EMDR therapy was offered. I am quite enthusiastic about the therapy, but I am concerned that it will not help me to be no longer able to access those memories and experiences at all, but to merely change the emotional connotation.

I have no wish to use any medication such as Propanol, due to the randomness of the possible effects at a neurological level.

It seems as though by using distractions, a process very similar to REM sleep is employed to affect the reprocessing. Can this process aid in forgetting something completely?

PS: I do apologise if my articulation is not entirely clear, as English is not my first language.

Thank you once more.

Kind regards
Hannes van Staden
Port Elizabeth
South Africa

Reply
Brittany
5/24/2019 12:13:35 pm

Hi,

Thank you for your vulnerability.

I am unaware of any therapy that allows you to “delete” a memory. I am hopeful for you that EMDR will bring the peace that you need. EMDR has been found to be very effective in reducing the distress and power that a memory can hold. You may find that while it doesn’t complete get rid of the memory, the memory will not bring about the same overwhelming response in your mind and body that it once did.

I wish you the best in your journey,
Brittany Wingfield, MS, LPC

Reply
Hannes Van Staden
7/4/2019 01:45:16 am

Good Morning

Thank you very much for your reply, I do appreciate it a lot.

You have really sparked my interest in this therapy and the recommended protocols. I apologise for the delay in my response, things were a bit hectic at the university where I am tutoring with the semester exams which I was invigilating and papers that needed to be graded.

I have made an appointment with a psychotherapist, and just completed the assessment and preparation phases. I believe that this will definitely at least be a stepping stone towards complete healing.

Keep up the good work, you really are making a huge difference in a lot of lives.

Kind regards

Hannes van Staden

Brittany Wingfield
7/15/2019 02:54:14 pm

Hi Hannes,

I truly wish you the best and hope that EMDR is helpful in your healing process.

Brittany

Reply



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    Brittany Wingfield

    Brittany Wingfield

    I am a Licensed Therapist in Lone Tree, Colorado and my goal for this blog is to explore taboo subjects that no one is willing to talk about and I am eager to bring awareness to.


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  • Home
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    • Therapeutic Tools and Resources | Nurtured Hearts Counseling
    • FAQs about Therapy
    • Confidentiality in Counseling
  • Getting Started
    • Pricing
    • Client Portal
    • Contact
  • Counseling Services
    • Teletherapy or Online Sessions >
      • ASSYST - Remote
    • Individual Counseling
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    • EMDR Therapy >
      • What is Trauma?
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    • Teens Counseling
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