EMDR Therapy

What Is EMDR?

Simply stated, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy, or EMDR, is an evidence-based approach that can treat many complex mental health issues. Though it is particularly helpful in treating trauma and PTSD, EMDR helps people cope with and overcome emotional suffering on many levels.

Most traditional talk therapy focuses on making cognitive or behavioral changes through discussion and exploration, which certainly has its benefits. However, EMDR works by gently looking at a specific traumatic memory while engaging in a series of bilateral stimulation techniques.

For instance, a client may be stimulated to make rapid eye movements, listen to shifting tones, or hold tappers that create alternating sensations they can feel in their hands. These techniques unlock the brain’s neuroplastic nature—its inherent capacity to heal and change how it processes information.

In a relatively brief amount of time, clients can learn how to manage difficult emotions, painful memories, and even trauma that’s being stored in the body. In essence, EMDR helps clients heal on a neurological, emotional, and physical level by treating the core issue instead of just focusing on symptom management.

EMDR’s Effectiveness Is Unmatched

Since its development by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy has become the go-to treatment method for addressing a wide range of complex problems. Numerous well-known organizations, including the American Psychological Association, the US Department Of Veteran Affairs, and the World Health Organization recognize the profound healing power of EMDR.

Because it’s so flexible, EMDR can be used to treat trauma and PTSD, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and eating disorders (among other things). And it’s been proven to create long-lasting results that go far beyond just symptom management.

EMDR Therapist vs. Certified EMDR Therapist

EMDR Therapist

An EMDR therapist is a mental health professional who has completed some level of training in EMDR therapy. This typically involves:

1. Basic Training: This includes two parts, usually referred to as Part 1 and Part 2, which cover the fundamentals of EMDR therapy. The training is provided by approved instructors and involves both theoretical instruction and supervised practice.

2. Supervised Practice: After the basic training, therapists generally need to complete a certain number of hours of supervised practice using EMDR with clients.

However, simply completing the basic training does not mean the therapist is certified. They may still be effective and competent in using EMDR, but they have not met the additional requirements set by EMDRIA for certification.

Certified EMDR Therapist (EMDRIA Certification)

A certified EMDR therapist has met more rigorous standards set by EMDRIA, which include:

1. Completion of Basic Training: The same as any EMDR therapist, they have completed the initial training program.

2. Clinical Practice: They must have a minimum of two years of experience in their field as a licensed clinician.

3. EMDR Experience: They must have completed a minimum of 50 clinical sessions in which EMDR was used, and they must have worked with at least 25 clients using EMDR therapy.

4. Consultation Hours: They are required to have received at least 20 hours of consultation by an EMDRIA-approved consultant. This ensures they are applying EMDR techniques correctly and effectively.

5. Continuing Education: They need to complete continuing education in EMDR to maintain their certification, ensuring they stay up-to-date with the latest practices and research in the field.

EMDRIA (EMDR International Association)

EMDRIA is a professional organization dedicated to the highest standards of excellence and integrity in EMDR therapy. It provides:

• Certification: They offer certification for therapists who meet their stringent criteria.

• Resources: They offer resources for therapists, including directories of certified therapists, guidelines for practice, and opportunities for continuing education.

• Standards: EMDRIA sets and maintains standards for EMDR therapy training and practice.

Why Choose a Certified EMDR Therapist?

While any trained EMDR therapist can potentially provide effective therapy, choosing an EMDRIA-certified therapist offers additional assurance regarding their experience and commitment to the highest standards of practice. Certified therapists have undergone extensive training and supervision and are required to engage in ongoing education, which helps ensure they are knowledgeable about the latest developments in EMDR therapy.

In summary, while both EMDR therapists and certified EMDR therapists can provide EMDR therapy, the latter has undergone more rigorous training, supervision, and continuing education, providing an extra layer of credibility and assurance regarding their expertise in EMDR therapy.

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The 8 Phases Of EMDR

• Phase 1 – Assessing personal history and developing a treatment plan. Instead of just jumping right into EMDR sessions, I first help you to understand your trauma, the functions that specific triggers have, and why some memories or stimulations are so strong.

• Phase 2 – Learning self-calming techniques. To help you process painful memories, manage overwhelming emotions, and navigate triggers better, you’ll learn valuable coping skills that you can use before, during, and between sessions.

• Phase 3 – Guided visualization of memories. When you’re ready, I’ll have you recall a memory, image, belief, or bodily sensation associated with trauma or a negative life experience.

• Phase 4 – Desensitization through Dual Attention Bilateral Stimulation. While you’re reflecting on the memories (thoughts, feelings, etc.) related to the traumatic experience, I will begin using bilateral stimulation techniques. This usually takes the form of rapid eye movements, shifting tones, or alternating tapping. And as this is happening, I’ll ask you to describe your thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations.

• Phase 5 – Reprocessing the traumatic memory and integrating positive ideas. At this point, we’ll begin focusing on helping you make positive adjustments in your thoughts, feelings, and general mindset related to your experience.

• Phase 6 – Body scan for residual physical symptoms. This step involves identifying and reducing any lingering bodily discomfort that may still be connected to your disturbing memory.

• Phase 7 – Relaxation and debriefing. At the end of the EMDR session, I help you return to a state of emotional balance and ease out of session. That means assessing your existing self-regulation skills, determining if you need additional support, and encouraging you to document any issue that may come up later.

• Phase 8 – Reevaluating overall progress and adjusting target memories. At this time, I’ll measure progress and begin identifying targets for any following sessions.

Through this process, you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your trauma while fundamentally changing how you respond to emotions, triggers, and reminders of the past.

How You Benefit From EMDR Therapy

In some ways, you can think of emotional suffering as a splinter under the skin. If you remove the foreign body, healing begins. But if that splinter gets ignored and irritated on a daily basis, the pain grows. Trauma is like that splinter—except it’s a wound stored in the mind and body that ultimately changes how you think, feel, and function in the world.

While most traditional therapeutic approaches focus on managing symptoms and modifying behaviors, EMDR works on a neurological level, creating real, lasting change.

Rather than treating surface issues, EMDR gets to the heart of the matter and removes that splinter instead of putting a bandage on it. Basically, this robs traumatic memories and experiences of their emotional charge—and all without forcing you to relive painful (possibly retraumatizing) moments from the past.