EMDR Explained…
A Letter From A Therapist: Issue 10
Did you know that Preservation Within Therapy Practice offers EMDR therapy? Let’s take some time to explore what EMDR treatment is and whether it could be the right clinical path for you! EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and is a strongly effective treatment option for various psychological conditions. The purpose of EMDR is to help an individual recover from difficult past experiences. Distressing experiences and traumatic events can trigger intense responses in our brain and alter how we perceive ourselves and the world around us which can result in feelings of being overwhelmed. In other words, our brains can convince us that we are reliving the bad experiences, even if we are in a safe or neutral environment. Some individuals who struggle with these symptoms do meet criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder whereas others find that they have simply developed themes of distress related to their experiences that restrict their lives. Trauma recovery is not a one-size-fits-all process but EMDR can greatly promote avenues for healing.
The EMDR process focuses on identifying an individual’s theme of distress in order to desensitize small, manageable chunks of the memories linked to it. This is completed by keeping the person grounded in the present while processing through the past recollections. When we experience trauma, the memory can get locked in the brain along with negative thoughts, emotions, and sensations. This is why present day triggers can bring about extreme responses.
The neurological AIP (Adaptive Information Processing) model shows that a human being can overcome these dysfunctions in EMDR by accessing, desensitizing, and reprocessing reactions to the stored memories with the tool of bilateral stimulation (a simple yet impactful way of bringing stored memory forth through the use of eye movements - or other alternative methods if necessary). Bilateral stimulation triggers communication across the brain during memory recall and can reduce the intensity of the memory which allows the individual to improve how they perceive themselves associated with the experience.
EMDR is considered one of the most effective therapeutic modalities available in the psychology field for effective treatment of trauma exposure. It has also been found to be measurably effective in treating countless other psychiatric conditions (including anxiety, depression, panic disorder, phobias, and even in assisting substance use recovery efforts). The tool of unlocking distress from the past in order to better adapt and respond to the present allows individuals to have sustained hope and confidence in managing their future. The empirical clinical data to support EMDR is positively overwhelming and suggests that the modality with have a long supported future in the psychology field.
If you are interested in learning more about the EMDR process, research that has been conducted, or would like to search for therapists certified local to you click here to be directed to the EMDRIA (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing International Association) webpage: https://www.emdria.org. Feel free to reach out to us if you are interested in learning of EMDR treatment opportunities with Preservation Within Therapy Practice!
Best Regards,
Amanda J. Nowak, LPC, LMHC
April 21, 2023
