Let’s Learn About EMDR

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy aims to resolve unprocessed traumatic memories in the brain. This is as traumatic memories are often left unprocessed due to the brain trying to “protect” itself from the hardships of confronting and overcoming painful memories. Since its beginning, EMDR has transitioned from a PTSD-focused treatment to one that has been applied to a broader scope of conditions in order to identify and overcome previous painful life events.

EMDR is a structured therapy, composed of stages, that entails briefly focusing on a painful memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation. This form of stimulation requires a stimulus to be applied to alternating sides of the body, and aids in the reprocessing aspect of the therapy. The stimulus varies, originally focusing on side-to-side eye movements, but now including other forms such as automated hand buzzers and alternating tapping motions on the chest.

When is EMDR Useful?

Bilateral stimulation (BLS) is a key component to EMDR’s efficacy in resolving trauma. It ensures both hemispheres of the brain are activated.

This is important as traumatic memories are often laterally stored in the right side of the brain, where visual and emotional functions are prominent. Hence why these unprocessed memories often bring up strong visuals that evoke strong negative emotions, causing us to feel ‘stuck’ and overwhelmed by them.

In activating the left hemisphere, the side of the brain where logic and language functions are prominent, the vividness and emotion attached to the memory are reduced. Ultimately aiding in the brain to reprocess the event.

Alongside the BLS phase of this treatment, clients can also expect to learn and utilize a variety of relaxation and stress management techniques. These skills will aid in coping with painful memories and emotions. Essentially providing you with a toolbox to aid you with your self-care throughout treatment.

A Little Science on How EMDR Works

Check out this short 2-minute video demonstrating how EMDR utilizes bilateral stimulation to tap into the brain’s innate ability to process and adaptively integrate memories. During bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements) both brain hemispheres engage, facilitating the movement of distressing memories from a state of emotional reactivity to a more balanced state.

This process fosters the brain’s rewiring, allowing the traumatic memories to connect with more adaptive information. This connection ultimately reduces the emotional intensity tied to the trauma. While the precise neurological mechanisms remain a subject of investigation, EMDR’s effectiveness in alleviating distress has shown positive impact on memory processing and emotional healing.