What Is an EMDR Session Like?

Curious about “what is an emdr session like”? In an EMDR session, you’ll work through traumatic memories with a therapist using eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation. The goal is to lessen the emotional impact of these memories and help you heal. This article provides a step-by-step guide on what you can expect during an EMDR session.

Key Takeaways

• EMDR therapy involves an eight-phase process designed to process and resolve traumatic memories, improving mental health and quality of life.

• The therapy utilizes bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, to diminish the emotional impact of traumatic experiences and reinforce positive beliefs.

• Establishing a trusting relationship and ensuring the client’s safety and emotional stability are critical for the success of EMDR therapy.

Overview of EMDR Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a mental health treatment technique that involves moving the eyes in a specific way while processing traumatic memories to help heal from trauma or distressing experiences. The therapy was developed by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s and has since gained recognition for its effectiveness in treating various psychological issues. EMDR basic training is essential for professionals looking to utilize this technique in their EMDR practice.

EMDR therapy shows that the mind can heal from psychological trauma much like the body recovers from physical trauma, by unblocking the brain’s information processing system and allowing the natural healing processes to be activated. This therapy is particularly used for treating PTSD but is also applied to other psychological challenges such as anxiety and depression. Adolescents, teenagers, and adults of all ages can benefit from EMDR therapy, making it a versatile tool in mental health treatment.

The Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, supported by the American Psychiatric Association, guides the therapy, suggesting that mental health disorders primarily stem from unprocessed memories of distressing life experiences. EMDR aims to completely process these traumatic experiences and include new positive ones needed for full health. Essentially, the goal is to fully process the traumatic experiences causing problems and incorporate new positive ones for overall well-being.

EMDR therapy assists in the adaptive resolution of traumatic memories and adverse life experiences by facilitating their access and processing. In short, it facilitates the resolution of past trauma for a better quality of life. This structured approach often results in significant changes in how individuals perceive and react to past traumas, leading to improved mental health and quality of life.

Preparation for an EMDR Session

EMDR therapy’s success hinges on establishing a trusting relationship. This ensures that the client accurately reports their feelings and experiences during sessions, which is essential for effective treatment. Initial sessions are dedicated to discussing the client’s goals and improving their ability to manage distress through relaxation techniques and stress management skills. These techniques help clients handle the emotional disturbances that may arise during the therapy.

To maintain the client’s stability and safety during treatment, therapists impart self-soothing techniques in the preparation phase. The therapist explains the theory of EMDR, the procedure, and what the client should expect during and after treatment, addressing any concerns to establish a safe therapeutic alliance. This phase focuses on establishing a strong foundation of trust and comprehension, paving the way for the ensuing healing process.

The Eight Phases of EMDR Therapy

EMDR therapy consists of eight unique phases that form a comprehensive framework for healing trauma and instilling positive beliefs. These phases include:

1. History and treatment planning

2. Preparation

3. Assessment

4. Desensitization

5. Installation

6. Body scan

7. Closure

8. Reevaluation

Each phase significantly contributes to the therapy’s effectiveness and can be personalized to suit individual needs.

The eight phases of EMDR therapy include:

1. History Taking

2. Preparation

3. Assessment

4. Desensitization

5. Installation

6. Body Scan

7. Closure

8. Reevaluation

In the following sections, we will delve into each phase, providing a detailed overview of what happens and why it is essential for the therapeutic process.

Phase 1: History and Treatment Planning

During EMDR therapy’s first phase, the therapist concentrates on:

• Collecting the client’s history, thereby building rapport and trust, which forms the cornerstone of a successful treatment.

• Evaluating the client’s emotional and physical capacities.

• Identifying potential targets for EMDR processing by assessing the client’s history to pinpoint distressing memories.

This initial session is crucial as it allows the therapist to gather important information and lay the foundation for the rest of the treatment.

Therapists set treatment goals by evaluating the client’s readiness for EMDR therapy and ensuring the goals align with the client’s objectives. A comprehensive treatment plan is then developed based on the client’s goals and the traumatic events identified, creating a roadmap for the therapeutic process. This phase ensures that both the therapist and client are clear on the direction and expectations of the therapy.

Phase 2: Preparation

The Preparation phase primarily involves:

• Preparing the client with essential tools to tackle any emotional disturbances that might surface during the sessions

• Teaching relaxation techniques to help the client manage emotional disturbances

• Introducing self-soothing techniques to ensure the client’s stability and safety throughout the therapy.

Creating a safe therapeutic environment is crucial during this phase. The therapist assesses the client’s internal and external resources and often identifies a ‘safe space’ for the client to use if they feel overwhelmed during treatment. The goal is to produce rapid and effective change. It is important that the client maintains equilibrium during and between sessions.

Phase 3: Assessment

Phase 3 zeroes in on particular memories or experiences for treatment. This involves:

• Identifying the event for reprocessing

• Identifying associated images, beliefs, feelings, and sensations

• Focusing on specific events

• Paying attention to related negative and positive beliefs and emotions

The client rates their distress levels related to the traumatic memories and other distressing life experiences using the Subjective Units of Disturbance Scale (SUDS). This scale helps in quantifying the distress and provides a baseline for measuring progress throughout the therapy.

Phase 4: Desensitization

The fourth phase employs bilateral stimulation, frequently via guided eye movements, to diminish the emotional impact of traumatic memories. The therapist guides the client to focus on the traumatic event while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation.

The goal is to reduce the client’s Subjective Units of Disturbance (SUD) to zero or a low level. This phase is crucial as it helps in lowering the distress associated with the targeted memory, making it less disturbing for the client.

Phase 5: Installation

The Installation phase fortifies positive beliefs to supplant the formerly held negative ones. Installation focuses on associating and reinforcing a positive belief related to the target event.

Clients are encouraged to focus on and reinforce a positive cognition that they want to associate with the processed memory. The aim is to make the positive belief feel completely true to the client, solidifying the therapeutic gains made during the desensitization phase.

Phase 6: Body Scan

During the Body Scan phase, the client is asked to:

1. Observe any residual physical sensations

2. Address them using bilateral stimulation

3. Mentally scan their body for lingering negative sensations after processing a memory.

Any remaining uncomfortable physical sensations of disturbance are identified and reprocessed in this phase. The goal is to ensure that no residual physical tension or discomfort related to the traumatic memory remains.

Phase 7: Closure

Phase 7 ensures a calming and relaxing closure to each session, aiding the client in reaching a neutral state concerning the traumatic event. Closure techniques ensure that clients leave the session feeling safe and balanced, even if the traumatic memory has not been fully processed.

The goal is to return the client to a state of equilibrium before they leave the session. This phase is essential for maintaining the client’s stability and ensuring they are ready for the next session.

Phase 8: Reevaluation

The Reevaluation phase includes the following steps:

1. Gauge the client’s progress

2. Chart the course for upcoming sessions

3. Evaluate the client’s level of distress

4. Plan future sessions based on their response

The Reevaluation phase is crucial for reviewing the effects of previous sessions and deciding on further treatment steps. It ensures that the therapy remains on track and continues to meet the client’s needs.

What to Expect During an EMDR Session

An average EMDR session spans 60 to 90 minutes and may require multiple emdr sessions to process a single traumatic experience. The client will be asked to focus on a specific event, including:

• a negative image

• belief

• emotion

• body feeling related to it

EMDR therapy encourages individuals to communicate their traumatic experiences, which can open opportunities for true healing.

The therapist will use sets of side-to-side eye movements, sounds, or taps while the client focuses on the upsetting event. These sets are repeated until the event becomes less disturbing to the client. Clients have complete control and can stop the therapist at any point during an EMDR session if needed.

Processing in EMDR does not involve talking about the traumatic experience but rather setting up a learning state to digest and store experiences appropriately.

How EMDR Works

EMDR therapy aids in the assimilation of initially experienced negative emotions, physical sensations, and beliefs with more adaptive information. This integration helps change reactions to triggers, allowing individuals to respond with rationale rather than anxiety or panic. The mind comprises thoughts, memories, beliefs, and experiences, and EMDR therapy aids in organizing these elements more adaptively.

The eye movements in EMDR therapy are believed to tax working memory, elicit an orienting response, and link into processes that occur during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Studies suggest that the eye movement component in EMDR leads to a rapid decrease in arousal, negative emotions, and vividness of disturbing images. This unique approach stimulates the brain’s natural healing processes, providing quick and effective results for those struggling with PTSD.

Benefits of EMDR Therapy

EMDR assists in reconfiguring past traumatic events by offering a fresh perspective, potentially as transformational as the trauma itself. Acceptance of past traumatic events through EMDR therapy can create mental strength, reducing the influence of negative memories. This therapy can be used within a standard talking therapy, as adjunctive therapy with another therapist, or as a standalone treatment.

For those struggling with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), EMDR trauma therapy offers the potential for quick and effective results. By addressing the root causes of distress and integrating positive beliefs, professionals who provide EMDR therapy can significantly improve mental health and quality of life.

Potential Drawbacks and Controversies

Despite its advantages, EMDR therapy does face criticism. Some argue that EMDR may just be a form of dissociation rather than a true healing method. Others worry that EMDR could potentially worsen symptoms instead of improving them.

Another point of contention is the lack of long-term research on EMDR therapy, which contributes to its controversy. While short-term results can be promising, ongoing research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects and effectiveness of this therapy.

Finding an EMDR Therapist

In the quest for an EMDR therapist, verifying their qualifications and experience is paramount. One of the first steps is to check if the therapist is an EMDR certified therapist, which increases the likelihood of receiving effective treatment. You can use the ‘Find an EMDR Therapist’ directory on the EMDRIA website to search for certified professionals in your area.

It’s also beneficial to ask potential therapists about their EMDR training and request to see their completion certificates if they are not EMDRIA certified. Additionally, requesting a free 10-20 minute phone consultation can help determine if the therapist is a good fit for you.

Look for trauma-informed language in the therapist’s social media and marketing materials to gauge their understanding of trauma and their approach to treatment.

Summary

EMDR therapy offers a structured and effective approach to processing and healing from traumatic memories. By following the eight phases of treatment, clients can work through past traumas, reduce the distress associated with those memories, and integrate positive beliefs that enhance their mental health. This therapy has shown promise in treating PTSD, anxiety, and depression, among other psychological issues.

While there are potential drawbacks and ongoing controversies, the benefits of EMDR therapy are significant for many individuals. Finding a certified and experienced EMDR therapist is crucial to ensure the best outcomes. With the right support and proper guidance, EMDR therapy can be a transformative experience, leading to profound healing and improved quality of life.