Healing Trauma Through EMDR: The 8 Phases of EMDR Therapy.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a trauma therapy designed to help individuals heal from past trauma and distressing experiences. It integrates elements from various treatment methods to address the emotional and psychological impacts of traumatic events.

Through a process called bilateral stimulation, which involves guided eye movements or other rhythmic techniques, EMDR helps reprocess and desensitize traumatic memories. If you’re living with trauma or PTSD, EMDR could be the solution to help you heal. Here’s what to know about it.

Is EMDR Therapy Right for You?

EMDR is for helpful for those experiencing persistent emotional distress linked to past traumatic events. If you have been struggling with symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), such as flashbacks, nightmares, or heightened anxiety, EMDR may be an effective treatment option.

How EMDR Therapy Works

EMDR therapy follows a structured, eight-phase approach, designed to provide comprehensive treatment and help toward healing. It includes:

Phase 1: History, Information Gathering, and Planning

An EMDR therapist will work to collect detailed information about past traumatic experiences and current symptoms to determine if EMDR is right for you. This phase helps identify the traumatic events and memories to focus on during therapy, so a personalized treatment plan can be created.

Phase 2: Preparation and Education

If EMDR is right for you, your therapist will educate about the process and what to expect during sessions.   Your therapist and you will collaborate to prepare specific techniques to cope with any emotional disturbance that might come up. Some clients need more time in phases 1 and 2 in order to feel ready to move on to the following phases. 

Phase 3: Assessment

This phase involves identifying specific traumatic or distressing memories. Your therapist will help you pinpoint the images, beliefs, feelings, and physical sensations associated with these memories.

Phase 4: Desensitization and Reprocessing

During this phase, your therapist will beging using eye movements, taps, or other dual attention bilateral stimulation while you begin to thing about the traumatic or distressing memories. This process helps reduce the emotional charge of the memories and allow new thoughts, beliefs, feelings, and sensations to emerge. 

Phase 5: Installation

The installation phase of EMDR therapy involves connecting a positive cognition with one that is no longer triggering. Once negative cognitions associated with the trauma are processed and desensitized, a positive cognition such as, "I have choices in my life," will be strengthened and installed. 

Phase 6: Body Scan

Once positive cognitions are identified and installed, your therapist will focus on any lingering physical sensations you have from the traumatic experience. You will be asked to focus on physical sensations in your body to ensure that all residual tension or distress is addressed. Mindfulness practices and yoga nidra may supplement the body scan practice.

Phase 7: Closure and Stabilization

Your therapist will help you return to a state of calm before concluding each session. You will learn coping and resourcing techniques to help you call upon this state of calm in between sessions.

Phase 8: Reevaluation

At the beginning of each session, your therapist and your will discuss recently processed memories to ensure that distress is still low and positive cognition is growing and not stuck. Future memories and directions for continued treatment are determined.

Ways EMDR Can Help You Recover From Trauma

EMDR therapy offers numerous benefits, enabling those suffering from trauma to overcome the lingering effects. Some of the key ways EMDR can help include:

• Reducing PTSD symptoms: EMDR has been shown to significantly alleviate symptoms of PTSD, such as flashbacks, nightmares, and hyperarousal. By reprocessing traumatic memories, individuals can reduce their emotional intensity and regain control over thoughts and behaviors.
• Alleviating anxiety and panic: EMDR can help diminish the frequency and severity of panic attacks and anxiety by addressing the underlying traumatic triggers and desensitizing emotional responses.
• Improving emotional regulation: Through EMDR, individuals can learn to manage emotions more effectively, reducing instances of overwhelming fear, anger, or sadness triggered by past events.
• Enhancing self-worth: By transforming negative self-perceptions linked to trauma, EMDR can foster positive self-beliefs, boosting self-esteem and confidence.
• Resolving phobias: EMDR can be an effective treatment for phobias by addressing the root causes of irrational fears and helping individuals develop healthier responses.
• Easing chronic pain: For some, chronic pain is exacerbated by unresolved trauma. EMDR can help reduce pain by addressing the emotional components associated with it.

Find Out More About EMDR Therapy for Trauma

If you are struggling with the effects of past trauma or difficult experiences, EMDR therapy at Heart Bloom Therapy may be the solution you need. Contact Dr. Pamela Brody today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards healing and well-being.