Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) is a structured therapy that involves an 8 phased approach which integrates elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with the use of bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tactile or auditory sensations in left-right pattern) to help our brain reprocess traumatic events that may contribute to a wide array of challenges such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression. The 8 phases are: history taking and treatment planning, resourcing/preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation, body scan, closure and re-evaluation. Though this may sound lengthy, EMDR is typically more efficient than traditional talk therapy.
Given that EMDR is not a traditional talk therapy, there is more choice around what you wish to share out loud and what you wish to process on your own internally. Some people like the opportunity to talk through something which can help to organize thoughts and provide an opportunity to be supported in a way that was not previously available. However, for others, it can be a relief to know that they do not need to share the details of their experience. EMDR is considered a ‘bottom up’ approach, focusing a great deal on what has been stored in the body. Additionally, EMDR can target implicit memories (available unconsciously) even when the explicit memory (remembered consciously) is limited or unavailable. When we have difficult experiences they seem to be stored differently than our typical daily experiences. Often this leads to challenging thoughts, feelings and sensations connected to the event(s) sticking around longer than we would like. Sometimes we may cognitively know that an experience is over but have the ongoing felt sense that a threat remains, causing present day distress. EMDR helps to connect the cognitive awareness of safety to a felt sense of safety in the body.
You can find more information about EMDR by visiting theEMDRIA website.