Treating trauma with EMDR (continued)

What constitutes trauma?
What is EMDR?
What is an EMDR therapy session like?
Does EMDR really work?
To learn more …

What is an EMDR therapy session like?
During EMDR, the client calls to mind the disturbing event or issue and what was taken in by the senses, the client’s thoughts and what current thoughts or beliefs the client has about the event or issue.

While the client focuses on the disturbing material, the therapist facilitates specific eye movements or other dual-attention stimulation of the brain. The client is asked to notice whatever comes to mind during this process, without attempting to control the direction or content of these thoughts. This process is repeated or continued until the memory becomes less disturbing and it becomes associated with positive thoughts and beliefs.
During EMDR, clients may experience intense emotions. However, by the end of the session, most people report a great reduction in the level of disturbance.

Does EMDR really work?
Approximately 20 controlled studies have investigated the effects of EMDR. These studies have consistently found that EMDR effectively decreases/eliminates the symptoms of post-traumatic stress for the majority of clients. Clients often report improvement in other associated symptoms such as anxiety. The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies designates EMDR in their treatment guidelines. For more information about EMDR, see the EMDR International Association’s Website, www.emdria.org.

How long does EMDR take?
It may require one or more sessions for the therapist to understand the nature of the problem and determine if EMDR is an appropriate treatment. A typical EMDR session lasts from 60 to 90 minutes. The nature of the problem, life circumstances and extent of exposure to trauma determine how many treatment sessions are necessary. EMDR may be used within standard “talking” therapy sessions, as an adjunctive therapy with a separate therapist, or as a treatment by itself.

To learn more …
I offer EMDR to clients if they would like to experience this modality and if I believe it offers potential benefits other methods may not provide. If you would like to learn more, please visit the website www.emdr.com. You may also want to look at the book, EMDR: THE BREAKTHROUGH THERAPY FOR OVERCOMING ANXIETY, STRESS AND TRAUMA by Dr. Francine Shapiro, the originator of EMDR.

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