What is EMDR?

There are lots of helpful tools we trauma therapists use. One of them is called EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. EMDR is a therapy technique developed by Francine Shapiro. She noticed when she went for a walk while she was thinking about a traumatic event in her life, her eyes moved slightly back and forth and the event didn’t seem as stressful to think about anymore. Over time, she explored and refined these eye movements to help people process their trauma. EMDR has been shown to be helpful symptoms of post-traumatic stress.

Trauma is stored in a part of the brain called the limbic system. This part of the brain is where our sense of love and belonging lives, as well as addiction, and high levels of emotion. This is separate from the part of the brain where we store language and rational thought. During EMDR therapy, a therapist will use eye movements, tapping, sound, or vibrations alternating on both sides of the body. This helps a client stay grounded while they talk about their traumatic events. While we don’t know specifically why this helps, we do know that, for many people, the memories become less intense or overwhelming. This allows for new understandings to come in, and people will often report feeling amazed they survived a trauma instead of haunted by it.

There are phases to EMDR therapy. First, a trauma therapist will assess for traumas that are still bothering the client in the present. Next, the therapist will teach the client relaxation exercises, breathing techniques, and mindfulness skills. These will help a client stay grounded, and start creating new connections in the brain to skills that will be needed later. After this comes the desensitization phase, where the client remembers the traumatic event and the negative sensations or thoughts that came with it, and the trauma loses its intensity. After that comes the reprocessing phase, where new beliefs and sensations are added to the memory that are positive. Finally, these beliefs and sensations are added to potential future triggering situations to help the person plan and not feel anxious about what might be coming.

EMDR is not for everyone, and should only be done by someone who is trained by an EMDRIA approved organization. While it takes some preparation work, it also can also work very quickly for many people. A good EMDR therapist will take the time to help you learn skills to keep you safe and grounded during the process.

Openings for EMDR therapy are available in-person in Fort Collins, Colorado, and over telehealth for residents of Colorado. Request a free 15-minute consultation to see if EMDR therapy might be a good fit for you.