How EMDR Helps Heal PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can feel like a heavy weight, holding individuals back from living a fulfilling life. Even though the traumatic event may have happened a long time ago, reminders or triggers can bring those memories and emotions back to the surface when you least expect it. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can be incredibly helpful for individuals with PTSD because it targets the trauma in a unique way, making it very different than traditional talk therapy.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR was developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s to help people process and heal from painful memories caused by trauma. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EDMR uses bilateral stimulation to help the brain process unresolved trauma. This is done through techniques such as side to side eye movements, tapping or the use of audio tones. This can be very therapeutic because it is done so in a controlled and safe manner.
How Does It Work?
EMDR therapy is based on the understanding that trauma disrupts the brain’s ability to process and integrate experiences. When a person experiences a traumatic event, there is an overwhelming physical response that happens in the body. The likelihood of this experience being integrated, depends on the person’s ability to cope with the distress that is happening at the moment. Unfortunately, many individuals that develop PTSD are unable to process the event and the memory can be “stuck “in an unprocessed form. This can cause symptoms such as flashbacks, intrusive thoughts and emotional dysregulation.
Research suggests that EMDR helps the brain process memories similarly to how it processes every day experiences during REM sleep. Eye movements during EMDR are similar to those in REM sleep, when the brain naturally processes memories. By focusing on both the traumatic memory and an external stimulus, such as guided eye movements, the emotional intensity of the memory is reduced. This allows the brain to process the memory without becoming overwhelmed. The bilateral movements also help reduce the activation of the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for fear responses, which in turn lowers the intensity of fear. Over time, the emotional charge of the memory decreases, and the client begins to associate the memory with more neutral feelings.
The Eight-Phase Model
EMDR follows an eight-phase model which includes:
1. History and treatment planning: In this phase the clinician gathers information about the client’s history, current challenges and therapy goals.
2. Preparation: The clinician works closely with the client to develop a therapeutic relationship that ensures trust and safety. In this phase, the client learns coping strategies, relaxation techniques and emotional regulation skills.
3. Assessment: In this phase, the clinician identifies the target memory and assess to see if there are any negative beliefs, bodily sensations and emotions associated with it.
4. Desensitization: This phase involves bilateral stimulation. The client recalls the painful memory while the therapist guides them through eye movements, tapping or audio tones.
5. Installation: In this phase, positive beliefs are reinforced to replace negative perceptions related to the trauma.
6. Body Scan: The client is asked to hold the target memory and the new positive belief in mind, and asked to scan the body for any remaining physical distress. The is repeated until the memory is no longer triggering.
7. Closure The clinician ensures the client returns to a calm state and stabilized before ending the session.
8. Reevaluation: The clinician and the client work together during follow-up sessions to assess progress and determine if further processing is needed.
EMDR in Charlotte, NC
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR does not require individuals to go into details of their trauma. This can be helpful for those who find it difficult to verbally express their thoughts and feelings (often a side effect of trauma). It can also be helpful for those who are retraumatized after sharing details of the traumatic event.
PTSD can lead to a loss of trust in others and even oneself. It can distort the way people see themselves, the world and others. There might be feelings of guilts, shame
or anger that don’t seem to go away. People may struggle with the feeling that the world is an unsafe place and that they can’t protect themselves or trust others to keep them safe. This can lead to isolation an a very lonely life. This thinking could also affect an individual’s self-worth and self-esteem. EMDR offers hope to those struggling with PTSD. One of the core goals of EMDR at Kind Mind Psychology in Charlotte NC, is to help individual feel safe again, both within themselves and in the world. Through the reprocessing of traumatic memories. EMDR allows a person to reconnect with a sense of safety that they may have lost. Although it doesn’t completely erase memories, it allows individuals to regain control over their lives and experience life with less fear. At Kind Mind Psychology, we are here to guide you through this journey of using EMDR. Our compassionate, trained EMDR therapists are here to help support you on recovering from the past and regaining control of your future.
