A Quick Look at EMDR Therapy
EMDR represents eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy. This therapy is structured to enable patients to shortly focus on traumatic remembrances while eye movement stimulation happens simultaneously. EMDR therapy decreases the emotion and vividness associated with recollections of traumatic events.
EMDR therapy was created in the late 1980s to treat post-traumatic stress disorder clients. This therapy is marked by 6 to 12 sessions transpiring once or twice weekly. However, some individuals find comfort from fewer sessions, and sessions can be conducted on successive days if scheduling permits it.
How does EMDR help?
Traumatic occasions or recollections that are not sufficiently processed can constantly cause pain and signs related to PTSD and other powerful mental illnesses. In addition, the signs of PTSD and other mental conditions are often aggravated by unprocessed recollections containing physical feelings, assumptions, reflections, and sentiments present during the trauma encountered.
EMDR is distinct from many other therapies that focus on transforming the thoughts, reactions, and feelings from vulnerability to traumatic circumstances. Instead, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy focuses directly on the recollection of trauma. It is developed to decrease or eradicate the signs associated with trauma vulnerability by modifying how the patient's brain holds the traumatic memory.
It is assumed that the brain is prompted into a process of accelerated education via the use of bilateral stimulants like eye movements. The high level of feeling and vividness of a traumatic incident is decreased when patients focus shortly on the recollection of the trauma and simultaneously undergo bilateral stimulations.
The EMDR Process
EMDR is a well-structured procedure that involves 8 phases.
Phase 1: History taking
This stage of EMDR treatment concerns a therapist fully comprehending a patient's history and adequately assessing the patient to define treatment targets. Future objectives, present triggers, and traumatic recollections are all models of treatment targets.
Phase 2: Preparation
Preparation involves:
- Describing the therapy approach to the patient.
- Presenting the techniques involved.
- Practicing the bilateral exercises (typically eye movements) that EMDR demands.
The therapist also provides the patient with coping aids, including a safe/calm location exercise.
Phase 3: Assessment
During the assessment stage of EMDR, the target recollection is activated and evaluated based upon four separate memory elements. Two scales are used to assess emotional and cognitive transformations during assessment and further ahead in the treatment approach.
Phase 4: Desensitization
Remembering emphasis and eye movements are the primary components of this stage of EMDR treatment. The therapist evaluates the client's thoughts during the procedure, and the cycle will continue until the distress is eradicated from the memory.
Phase 5: Installation
The installation stage is developed to strengthen the patient's positive mental response to the recollection target.
Phase 6: Body Scan
The body scan stage involves monitoring a patient's physical reactions when concentrating on the traumatic memory and optimistic cognition. This action allows the therapist to aid the patient in processing any lingering anguish.
Phase 7: Closure
The session concludes with the closure stage. If the session did not help completely process the recollection, the patient is provided straightforward procedures and education to contain any harmful consequences and keep them secure until their next session.
Phase 8: Reevaluation
Revaluation involves:
- An examination of the client's psychological condition.
- Noticing whether consequences of past therapies have been retained.
- Deciding if any fresh memories have come to light.
- Determining the targets for the present session.
