EMDR Therapy: What to Know and How to Prepare
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy is a type of therapy designed mostly to help with the effects of trauma. However, it’s also been successful in treating a variety of other mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression.
Unlike many types of talk therapy, EMDR Therapy focuses less on verbally working through the impact of trauma and more on reprocessing the effects of the event.
It accomplishes that feat through bilateral stimulation. While you don’t forget the event that happened, you can end up seeing it from a different perspective, where it doesn’t control your thoughts or create an environment of fear.
Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect from EMDR therapy and how you can prepare for the process.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR Therapy is a method often used for people with PTSD and lingering trauma that focuses on utilizing bilateral stimulation (eye movements, auditory sounds or tactile stimulation) while concentrating on past traumatic thoughts, sensory impressions and memories. In doing so, it helps desensitize and reprocess traumatic experiences.
EMDR Therapy is research and evidence-based. While there is still some talking involved, especially with covering your history and various series of events, the main focus of the therapy is to scan the mind and body for stored trauma so it can be reprocessed, enabling you to experience it from a different perspective.
What to Expect
The number of sessions you attend will depend on the depth of your trauma and how quickly you’re able to reprocess.
When it comes to what you should expect from each session, it’s important to understand that EMDR Therapy goes through phases.
I will start by getting to know you and establishing that you’re in a safe space. You’ll talk about your history and any trauma you’ve been through. I will use that information to help you identify those areas of stored trauma in the mind.
During the desensitization and reprocessing stages, I will use one of three methods to generate bilateral stimulation (eye movements, auditory sounds or tactile tappers) while I guide you to focus on the distressing memory. Bilateral stimulation facilitates “Adaptive Information Processing,” the innate healing energy within us, encouraging new neural pathways within the brain.
How Can You Prepare?
In order for your EMDR Therapy to be as effective as possible, you have to be open to it. Try to practice self-care as often as possible before and in between each session. While doing so, focus on ways you can reduce your stress. It can also be helpful to practice mindfulness, so you’re totally focused on the present. Mindfulness and meditation can help to stimulate new networks in the brain which can help your therapy to be even more effective.
Finally, don’t hesitate to ask me what you can do to get the most out of this experience. Things like journaling (especially a gratitude journal), leaning on your support system, and even getting more physically active to boost your mood can all help.
EMDR Therapy isn’t for everyone, but if you’ve had to deal with the lingering effects of trauma and you’re looking for an effective way to move forward, it can help. Please contact me for more information or to set up an appointment soon.