EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)
Have you ever said any of these statements about yourself? If so, you are not alone! Many individuals who have experienced some form of extreme stress, various forms of trauma and/or attempting to manage or alleviate symptoms related to a mental health disorder. Trauma counseling is a specific area of therapeutic content addressing stored trauma memories and one form of trauma counseling is Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR).
To explain what EMDR is without sounding like a neurosurgeon (*smiling*). I like to use the example of gardening. Bring to mind your favorite flower or shrub. Now imagine you are wanting to plant these seeds to grow your own, but, your current garden is filled with dead flowers. Now, I don’t have a green thumb, but, I do know in order to plant new flowers you have to clear out the current debris and tend to the soil— the dead flower’s roots need to be removed and cleared out before planting the newer seeds to create healthier beautiful flowers.
Do you see where I’m going with this? (*smiling*) EMDR is the similar to the gardening process and you are the gardener! When a trauma is experienced the brain stores it within the special section of the brain that stores memories. The brain cannot determine if the memory is pleasant/unpleasant, healthy/unhealthy, good/bad, stressful/traumatic, etc, it just stores it. What happens over time with disturbing (trauma) memories it begins to plant roots and create negative cognitions/beliefs about self impacting self-esteem, self-image, overall worth, ultimately being the main source of symptoms associated with depression and/or anxiety.
EMDR uses desensitization and reprocessing techniques in the form of bilateral stimulation (movements in the form of tapping, eye movement, or sound) to offer to clean out the unhealthy roots (eg., negative beliefs/cognitions) to plant new roots consistent of healthier and positive beliefs/cognitions we have grown to know about ourselves, but, can’t connect with it due to the unhealthy roots blocking this connection. EMDR aides in using desensitizing techniques to reduce the intense emotional charge trauma memories have created for us. You ever hear someone share a trauma story and can share it without the emotional charge/impact? This is the targeted outcome when implementing EMDR as a form of therapy treatment.
Do you see where I’m going with this? (*smiling*) EMDR is the similar to the gardening process and you are the gardener! When a trauma is experienced the brain stores it within the special section of the brain that stores memories. The brain cannot determine if the memory is pleasant/unpleasant, healthy/unhealthy, good/bad, stressful/traumatic, etc, it just stores it. What happens over time with disturbing (trauma) memories it begins to plant roots and create negative cognitions/beliefs about self impacting self-esteem, self-image, overall worth, ultimately being the main source of symptoms associated with depression and/or anxiety.
EMDR uses desensitization and reprocessing techniques in the form of bilateral stimulation (movements in the form of tapping, eye movement, or sound) to offer to clean out the unhealthy roots (eg., negative beliefs/cognitions) to plant new roots consistent of healthier and positive beliefs/cognitions we have grown to know about ourselves, but, can’t connect with it due to the unhealthy roots blocking this connection. EMDR aides in using desensitizing techniques to reduce the intense emotional charge trauma memories have created for us. You ever hear someone share a trauma story and can share it without the emotional charge/impact? This is the targeted outcome when implementing EMDR as a form of therapy treatment.
EMDR is not your typical talk therapy! I know this is very different than the normal talk therapy you may be accustomed to doing and even harder for the therapist given the enjoyment of engaging in conversation. It may even appear as if the therapist is not giving much responses or feedback. Keep in mind, the aim of EMDR is to reprocess and desensitize the target memories created from trauma or stressful experiences…meaning, the need to focus on getting the ‘dead roots’ (feelings associated with trauma memories) out of the ground in support of planting ‘healthier seeds’ (healthier feelings required to change your quality of living) to bloom a beautiful flower bush.
While the EMDR therapist does talk with you to better understand your concerns, somatic capabilities, the therapist will be working with you to identify the kinds of life experiences you have had that contribute to your present discomfort, seeking to gain a better understanding of how your brain’s memory system works. Each brain is different and handles memories differently. Real change will come not just from talking about experiences but in reliving the experiences in the present in such a way that the experience can be reprocessed by the brain. In EMDR reprocessing, your brain does the work while the therapist guides the process…which involves very little talk.
EMDR therapist helps to prepare you for memory reprocessing by working with you to expand your range of skills in managing uncomfortable emotional states. It is a collaborative decision between you (the client) and myself (the therapist) when to begin the reprocessing of disturbing memories.
How does this work with individuals of differing culture and races? — I always like to include multicultural concepts when doing therapy because we are not just one dimensional individuals. Race, gender and culture are some of the many aspects that comprise each of us. When discussing trauma and changing its effects one has to ask if all therapeutic interventions are applicable to individuals of different cultures, spiritual backgrounds, gender and races. The research of EMDR used with African Americans has ben an astounding treatment (from a social welfare perspective) that’s been transformative to African American individuals, families and neighborhoods.
Is there equipment used for this form of therapy? There is an array for EMDR equipment is used during session. To implement the bilateral stimulation it is done with use of a light bar (for eye stimulation), tapping (with use of you tapping on your leg and/or chest), audio equipment with use of headphones or hand held apparatus (pulse stimulators) .
