- Written By: Nikki Quenneville, LPCC-S, LICDC
- Medically Reviewed By: Nikki Quenneville, LPCC-S, LICDC
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- EMDR THERAPY
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) is a commonly used therapeutic method for those dealing with the lasting effects of trauma. It can be a valuable tool for patients who are struggling with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other disruptive mental health conditions.
Resurgence Recovery is an innovative addiction and mental health treatment center offering EMDR therapy in Cincinnati. Among a number of other evidence-based therapies, we use EMDR to help our patients heal and develop the skills they need to live a fulfilling, healthy life.
If you’re ready to take the next step or want to learn more about our therapy options, contact us today or give us a call at (513) 993-5241.
What is EMDR Therapy?
As the name implies, “eye movement desensitization and reprocessing” involves using guided eye movements and sensory inputs to help reprocess harmful memories. This method is most commonly used in treating PTSD, though it’s sometimes recommended for those with other mental health concerns as well. Compared to other traditional therapy methods, EMDR is relatively young. Since the first clinical trial in 1989, it has been repeatedly proven effective in helping patients process the long-term effects of trauma.
EMDR involves recalling a specific memory while performing therapist-guided eye movements, sometimes with sounds and taps at certain intervals. By recalling traumatic memories or feelings and evaluating your reactions, EMDR aims to change the way the brain stores and interacts with these stressful or disturbing memories.
Unlike some types of talk therapy, it doesn’t require you to dissect and relive unpleasant events again and again. Rather, the goal is to help you heal trauma by focusing on unconscious reactions and harmful emotional patterns.
How Does EMDR Therapy Work?
EMDR is generally used in mental health treatment plans for those suffering from PTSD or trauma in their lives. It’s performed with a licensed therapist, and sessions usually last between an hour and an hour and a half.
The ideas behind the EMDR therapy method are based on the model of Adaptive Information Processing (AIP). This is a theory developed to explain the way memories are stored in our brains and explain how traumatic events can have a lasting impact on our mental well-being.
During distressing events or upsetting experiences, our brains process and store information differently than they would under normal circumstances. Because our minds often try to suppress painful memories, making it difficult to process or heal these feelings. Even if we aren’t consciously thinking about it, trauma can affect our emotions and behaviors long after the event has passed.
Trauma is like any injury—it may need help to heal, the same way you might clean out a wound so the body can mend itself. EMDR seeks to repair the way traumatic memories function in our minds, helping the brain digest information. The goal is to shed light on our feelings and memories to understand how they might be influencing our behavior.
The Process of EMDR: Eight Phases of Healing
Once the patient and provider agree that this approach may be a good fit, they prepare for the first phase of an EMDR session. There are eight outlined phases for the EMDR methodology. They are:
- History taking: The patient and therapist talk through the patient’s history to gain an understanding of how EMDR might be beneficial and any specific memories or events that may be causing them trouble.
- Preparation: The therapist talks to the patient about how the sessions will work. The therapist may also give them tools and methods for managing any feelings that come up and help them feel better prepared for the next steps.
- Assessment: This is where themes and specific memories are identified. The therapist helps the patient navigate negative beliefs and feelings associated with the trauma and determine more positive alternatives.
- Desensitization and reprocessing: In this phase, the therapist helps the patient process negative feelings, thoughts, and physical sensations that may be linked to a certain memory so they can gain insight into their experiences.
- Installation: The patient focuses on positive beliefs and associations to replace the negative patterns of thought.
- Body scan: The therapist has the patient focus on physical reactions, identifying any sensations or bodily reactions tied to the memory. Ideally, these should decrease as sessions continue, showing successful reprocessing of the traumatic event.
- Stabilization: The close of the session focuses on dealing with any negative feelings that may have come up during the process. It’s important to finish in a calm, stable state of mind to ensure effective healing and emotional safety.
- Reevaluation: The patients’ needs are consistently evaluated to be sure that future sessions address important topics and that continued care can be tailored to their needs.
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Potential Benefits of EMDR
Though it is most commonly used in managing PTSD, EMDR is also used to treat various other mental health disorders and conditions like depression, eating disorders, and personality disorders.
Healing unprocessed trauma is an important part of breaking the cycle of addiction. Trauma can often lead to substance use as a form of self-medicating, leading to addictions that make it hard to lead a stable life. Mental health and addiction can often overlap in surprising ways. Studies have shown it to be helpful in substance use disorder treatment while reducing co-occurring PTSD and depression symptoms.
Because EMDR does not require excessive talk about past events or traumatic memories, it can be less stressful for patients. It also tends to produce quicker results than other methods. While speed isn’t necessarily the goal of effective therapy, faster relief and progress can be promising signs for those struggling with symptoms of trauma.
Mental health is an ever-evolving field, so there is continuous work being done to find new ways to help those struggling with emotional and behavioral disorders. While there is ongoing research into other possible applications, EMDR has been shown to benefit those struggling with unprocessed, unhealed trauma.
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What to Expect
- Dedicated Case Management
- Expertly Trained Staff
- Integrative Wellness Model
- Alumni & Aftercare Planning
- Holistic Approaches
Trauma impacts everyone in different ways. We all have traumatic memories and events in our lives that make us who we are. When these memories and the feelings they create affect our quality of life, there are therapy methods that can help us identify and heal their lasting wounds. EMDR therapy is a science-backed method for navigating and retraining our reactions to painful thoughts. Even unconscious trauma can stay in the body and impact our mental health, self-esteem, and relationships.
At Resurge, our experienced team is trained in providing compassionate, trauma-informed care to help you build a more resilient, positive outlook on life. For individualized EMDR therapy in Cincinnati or to learn more about our programs, get in touch today or call (513) 993-5241.