What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a highly successful treatment for trauma that uses knowledge from neuroscience to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories.
Traumatic memories live in their own encapsulated neural network in the brain. The brain cannot use its healing processes to manage the memories, as the memories “stick.” A traumatized individual reacts with high levels of anxiety, fear and distress with memory triggers. With a trigger, the “fight, flight, or flee” mechanism activates in the brain. From there, the brain will perceive an active threat with the memory trigger.
EMDR clients share their stories:
“Healing Trauma” Public Awareness Film for EMDR Therapy (EMDRIA.org)
This neurological threat response is not something that is easily or consciously controlled. It is a basic survival instinct hard-wired into the brain. Furthermore, the person then responds with an array of traumatic symptoms. These can include anxiety, insomnia, flashbacks, intrusive recollections of the event, mistrust, irritability or rage, and even detachment from loved ones.
EMDR works to connect the memory into the “adaptive neural network.” Removal of the the traumatic blocks occur, and the brain’s natural healing begins. The memory becomes part of narrative memory. A bad thing that happened a long time ago, that has little power anymore.
Is it Effective?
- Some studies show that 84%-90% of single-trauma victims no longer have post-traumatic stress disorder after only three sessions.
- One study, funded by the HMO Kaiser Permanente, found that 100% of the single-trauma victims and 77% of multiple trauma victims no longer were diagnosed with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) after only six sessions.
- In another study, 77% of combat veterans were free of PTSD in 12 sessions.
- The American Psychiatric Association, the World Health Organization and the Department of Defense all recognize EMDR as an effective form of treatment for trauma and other disturbing experiences.
- EMDR is also effective for people not diagnosed with PTSD but are still impacted by painful memories.
Treatment Frequency
Weekly 60 Minute Sessions: We offer traditional weekly one hour sessions for EMDR. This is the most common choice, and is often a good frequency around work and home schedules.
Weekly 90 minute sessions: The formal EMDR protocol is based on 90 minutes, and is very effective with this length of time. Insurance typically will cover the extra time for clients who have a diagnosis of PTSD. Clients with other diagnoses, and who would still like extra time, 60 minutes are billed to insurance and the last 30 minutes are billed as self-pay.
Online EMDR
Prior to Covid, we already provided EMDR services online. Much of the preparation needed for EMDR includes careful discussions with your therapist about goals, trauma/stress targets, trauma maps, and shoring up internal resources.
The bilateral stimulation works in an online format with traditional eye movements (visual bilateral movements), self-tapping (tactile bilateral stimulation) or with an inexpensive phone app and headphones (auditory bilateral stimulation). Your therapist will help you decide which modality is best for you. Both the research and our own anecdotal information from our clients indicate EMDR is remarkably effective in clearing trauma and distress from the nervous system when done online.
Specialized Training
EMDR requires special training. Most of the therapists at Spencer Psychology have received at least Level 1 and Level 2 specialized supervised training through the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA). Several of our therapists have completed advanced training and certification.
Learn more at emdria.org.