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.
EMDR clients share their stories:
“Healing Trauma” Public Awareness Film for EMDR Therapy (EMDRIA.org)
Traumatic memories are stored in their own encapsulated neural network in the brain. The brain cannot use its own healing processes to manage the memories, as the memories are “stuck.” The traumatized individual continues to react with high levels of anxiety, fear and distress when the memory is triggered. The “fight, flight, or flee” mechanism is then activated in the brain. From there, the brain perceives an active threat when the memory is triggered.
This neurological threat response is not something that is easily or consciously controlled. It is a basic survival instinct hard-wired into the brain. 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 what is called the “adaptive neural network.” The traumatic blocks are removed, and the brain’s natural healing can then begin. 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.
- Another 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.
- EMDR is now recognized as an effective form of treatment for trauma and other disturbing experiences by organizations such as the American Psychiatric Association, the World Health Organization and the Department of Defense.
- EMDR is effective for people not diagnosed with PTSD as well, who still are 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 who would still like the extra time will have 60 minutes go to insurance and the last 30 as self-pay.
EMDR Intensives: This is a specialty service offered by Laura Swinford.
Online EMDR
Many of our clients were surprised to learn that even prior to Covid, we were already providing EMDR services online. Much of the preparation needed for EMDR is done through careful discussions with your therapist about goals, trauma/stress targets, trauma maps, and shoring up internal resources. This is done without much change from in-person sessions.
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.
What is an EMDR Intensive?
An intensive is a way to deliver treatment in an intensive but short period of time, typically a weekend, where multiple EMDR sessions per day are completed. New research shows that intensive therapy for trauma and stress can be extremely effective on symptom reduction. Our EMDR therapists are also trained in Polyvagal Theory and Somatic Experiencing, and will frequently wind these modalities into the EMDR treatment to further reduce and resolve symptoms. (These are referred to as “interweaves”).
Benefits
- Research shows that clients completing intensive treatment can make as much progress in the condensed format as in standard weekly sessions. This can eliminate weeks or months of living with trauma symptoms, and with the toll this takes on work, relationships, marriages, parenting and general wellbeing.
- Since sessions are completed over two or three days (typically one of the days is also a Saturday), it greatly reduces lost work time.
- While there is a larger upfront cost, the shorter duration of treatment over all can save money.
- Waiting lists in Bloomington are long for good trauma treatment providers. Intensives have much shorter wait times, as clients are through in the same week they start.
- Intensives are being studied in the literature as a state of the art modality for trauma.
- Clients who are out of town or out of state can take advantage of access to excellent treatment quickly, making only one trip to Bloomington.
- Local clients who have transportation issues or childcare complications can also make arrangements for the single weekend. This eliminates the need to have ongoing help with children or rides to therapy.
Match to Symptoms
While many clients are good candidates for an intensive, some may do better with an ongoing therapeutic relationship. Clients with long-term childhood abuse or neglect, who have had years of traumatic events, are typically not advised to do an Intensive. Some exceptions can be made for those currently under the care of a trusted provider that they can return to. Clients with this type of history can make progress on particular parts of events, but often are not finished with treatment and need to continue with their regular therapist following the intensive.
Ideal candidates are those who have had a single stressful or traumatic event, such as an assault, fire or car accident.
Clinical Structure
Preparation Phase
- Your therapist will do a strong assessment first.
- Your therapist may also provide you with written assessment materials (typically a questionnaire) to help pinpoint targets for EMDR and your goals, as well as gather additional information about your background and history. Your therapist will also want to view relevant previous mental health records, and staff with your current therapist (if you have one).
Treatment Phase
- The treatment phase of the intensive is typically three sessions per day over a weekend. There will be breaks in between for meals, rest and self-care.
- Your therapist will provide you with a list of suggested activities in town that help re-regulate your nervous system after sessions, such as massage therapists, yoga classes, nature hiking areas and other options. Bloomington also has many good restaurants and frequently hosts events through the IU Auditorium, as well as many local events around town.
Fees
Intensives are $2100 self-pay. Insurance does not cover the costs, as intensives are not part of coverage plans. There are also no insurance codes for intensives for billing, so clients cannot submit claims to insurance themselves.
If you are interested in learning more about Intensives or in scheduling this, please fill out our contact form and indicate this preference in the “reason for inquiry” section.
Specialized Training
EMDR requires specialized 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 clinicians have completed advanced training and certification.
Learn more at emdria.org.