What is EMDR?

Tiffany Bentley, LCSW explains what EMDR is, how it works, and how to know if it’s the right fit for you.

What is EMDR?

Have you heard about Prince Harry’s telehealth EMDR therapy session? If you haven’t seen it, the video can be found on YouTube. If you have heard of it, you might have asked yourself, “What is EMDR and what does it stand for?”

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), is a type of therapy founded by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the 1980’s. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (aka both sides of the brain) to help clients reprocess memories that may be categorized as traumatic.

While EMDR is well-known for eye movements, other types of bilateral stimulation, including tapping and audio, are used as well. In Prince Harry’s session, he uses shoulder tapping during his reprocessing.

In EMDR therapy, a therapist helps a client identify negative beliefs caused by upsetting life events, and helps reprocess those events in a healthier way. This results in relief from symptoms such as insomnia, panic attacks, and nightmares. 

So now you know what EMDR stands for. Still interested? 

What should I know before starting EMDR therapy?

The entire EMDR process is made up of 8 phases. The first three phases in EMDR focus on the therapist getting to know you and what internal and external supports you have. These early stages of EMDR are part of the protocol and vital to a successful and safe experience for you.

The initial phases can take as long as needed for the client and therapist to feel comfortable moving into reprocessing, and can be anywhere from 2, 4, or more sessions. These sessions can feel intense, as you work with your therapist to determine which life events to work on and what beliefs might be attached to those memories. 

The next set of steps includes reprocessing, which is the step where bilateral stimulation comes into play. In EMDR, the therapist helps direct and check-in during your processing. It is of the utmost importance that you feel comfortable being honest with your therapist for EMDR to work. No answer is wrong, and being comfortable telling your therapist if there was no progress is just as vital as letting them know if there is progress made. 

Is EMDR right for me?

EMDR can be especially helpful with clients who have diagnoses of PTSD and other trauma-related issues. However, it is also found to be helpful with many different issues, including anxiety, mood disorders, and grief.

EMDR can help minimize the flight or fight responses around a memory without eliminating the memory itself. The client will still remember the event, and may even remember more of the event, but without the strong emotional/physical response.

For those who are fearful of what memories may arise, this may not be the best therapy strategy. EMDR helps the brain bring up memories as they were stored at the time of the event, including the images, thoughts, emotions, and body sensations that occurred at the time.

EMDR is not the right fit for everyone, and while considered a highly effective treatment modality, doesn’t always work for everyone. Sometimes there are barriers that can be identified and worked on before trying EMDR and other times another type of therapy may work better. Your therapist can help you determine the right course of action based on your individual needs.

Where do I find EMDR trained therapists?

EMDRIA sets the standards for EMDR training and is a great resource for finding an EMDR trained therapist. EMDR therapy should be performed only with a trained mental health professional. Not all therapists are trained through an EMDRIA-approved program, so it is important to ask about a therapist’s training before beginning to work with them.

If you’d like to try EMDR therapy, you can view our current openings here, or search the EMDRIA directory for providers in your area.