Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing
The most common modality I use in my practice is “Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing”, or “EMDR”. EMDR was developed by Francine Shapiro in the 1980s and has become one of the most evidence-based forms of trauma therapy used today, with EMDR-trained therapists working in over 100 countries.
What is EMDR?
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When something traumatic occurs, the memory of that experience sometimes seems “frozen” or “stuck in time”, as if the experience is still happening. Individuals who have experienced trauma often face difficulties managing emotions and maintaining relationships, as well as challenges in daily functioning. EMDR is designed to help assist the brain “unfreeze” those experiences and process them with greater neutrality, so that trauma symptoms do not continue to disrupt daily living.
EMDR is a structured psychotherapy that begins with assessment and history-taking, building rapport and developing specific resources to help clients manage the intensity of the work, such as skills that promote calm and regulation. EMDR processing requires clients to briefly revisit traumatic memories while also experiencing bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements or tapping). This is theorized to help unlock the brain’s natural processing system, reducing the intensity of the memory and allowing for reprocessing.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
How is EMDR different from traditional talk therapy?
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One way that EMDR differs from typical “talk therapy” is the reduced emphasis on verbal recounting of traumatic experiences. Clients are not required to provide detailed narratives, instead only a few key details are necessary to engage the target and begin processing. Additionally, unlike many traditional psychotherapies, there is no homework to complete between sessions. The brain continues to process material following appointments, thus realizations, integration of material, or increased focus on traumatic content may occur between sessions. Your clinician will check in on your experiences between sessions, and this information helps guide overall treatment planning.​​
Lady Evelyn Falls, Northwest Territories
Who is EMDR effective for?
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Although EMDR was originally intended for individuals who have experienced trauma, ongoing research and application have shown that EMDR is effective in treating anxiety, addiction, grief, and a wide variety of other issues. Numerous protocols have been developed, and studies have been completed on the utility of EMDR for various clinical concerns. It may be worth discussing with your counsellor whether EMDR could be beneficial as part of your therapy.
Pangnirtung, Nunavut
Where can I find more information?
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For additional information and resources about EMDR, consider checking out EMDRIA’s website. EMDRIA is the EMDR International Association, and accredits trainings, has a listing of trained clinicians and providers certification pathways to trained EMDR clinicians. There website can be found here: https://www.emdria.org/
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Sources:
EMDRIA (n.d.) About EMDR Therapy. Retrieved from: https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/
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Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy: Basic principles, protocols, and procedures (3rd ed.). The Guilford Press.