Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of psychotherapy developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. It is primarily used to treat individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The therapy's unique aspect involves bilateral sensory input, such as side-to-side eye movements, hand tapping, or auditory tones. Here's a detailed overview of its methodology, how it works, and the theories supporting it.
EMDR is structured into eight distinct phases focusing on past, present, and future aspects of a traumatic memory. The phases include history taking, preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation, body scan, closure, and reevaluation.
In EMDR, the therapist and client identify specific traumatic memories to target. These include the main event and any related incidents that contribute to the distress.
This is the most distinctive element of EMDR. The therapist guides the client in lateral eye movements, or other bilateral sensory input, while the client recalls the traumatic memory. The purpose is to reduce the vividness and emotion associated with the memories.
The client focuses on the trauma memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation. This process is believed to desensitize the person to the emotional impact of the memory.
The goal is to reprocess the traumatic memory so that it is integrated into a coherent narrative of the past. The distress is reduced, and the memory is associated with more adaptive beliefs and feelings.
Positive beliefs are reinforced and "installed" to replace the negative emotions and beliefs associated with the traumatic memories.
After the reprocessing phases, clients are asked to notice any residual somatic sensations. Further bilateral stimulation may be used to alleviate any remaining tension.
This is the primary theoretical model for EMDR. It suggests that psychological distress is due to unprocessed memories. EMDR facilitates the accessing and processing of traumatic memories to bring them to an adaptive resolution.
Some researchers propose that the bilateral stimulation in EMDR may mimic the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase of sleep, which is involved in processing emotional memories. This stimulation may help facilitate the connection between the brain's memory and emotion networks, aiding in the processing of traumatic memories.
Various psychological theories have been used to explain the efficacy of EMDR, including Pavlovian conditioning, whereby the distressing memory is "extinguished" through repeated exposure while the individual is in a different emotional state.
Numerous studies have shown EMDR to be effective in treating PTSD and other trauma-related disorders. It is recognized as an effective treatment by organizations such as the American Psychiatric Association and the World Health Organization. In summary, EMDR is a complex, multi-phased therapy designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories. Its unique approach of bilateral stimulation, combined with traditional psychotherapeutic techniques, has made it a popular and effective treatment for trauma and PTSD. Despite some criticisms, its recognition by major health organizations underscores its value as a therapeutic tool. As with any therapy, its effectiveness can vary from person to person, and it's always recommended to work with a trained and experienced therapist.
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This post was reviewed by a licensed medical professional.