Pause. Breathe. Hope. Heal.
Dear Reader! To make life easier for you, I wanted to give you this information in a couple different formats. You can either read this blog post, or click the link below to download the podcast and listen to the episode on the go.
EMDR which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy, is a therapeutic modality that helps you process traumatic experiences using specific eye movements.
In EMDR there is a clear eight phase process, which includes:
- Phase one: Patient history and information gathering, which helps the therapist figure out if EMDR could be a good fit for the client.
- Phase two: Preparation and education, where the client is resourced with tools to help them self-regulate and better manage their emotions.
- Phase three: Assessment, where the therapist identifies themes, specific memories, somatic sensations, negative beliefs, and also positive cognitions the client would like to believe about themselves.
- Phase four: Desensitization and reprocessing, where bilateral stimulation (for example, eye movements, butterfly tapping etc.), is used while the client focuses on the target memory they would like to process.
- Phase five: Installation, which involves the client getting an opportunity to build and strengthen a positive belief or cognition about themselves.
- Phase six: Body scan, where the client is asked to check their body for any lingering symptoms from the trauma, which is then processed. Once their body is symptom free, the reprocessing is then complete.
- Phase seven: Closure and stabilization, the emphasis is on helping the client get to a place of equilibrium. The therapist uses emotional regulation strategies, and also gives clear tips to the client on what to expect and how to stabilize themselves in-between sessions.
- Phase eight: Re-evaluation and further care, where the psychotherapist monitors the client’s progress and where the two of them make clear plans about how to proceed in the future.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy can be used for things like:
- PTSD
- Betrayal trauma
- Complex trauma
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Stress
- Grief/loss
That was a lot of information so right now as you read this post, remember to take a moment to pause, breathe, hope, and heal.
Here at Oak and Stream Psychotherapy Clinic, EMDR can be done either in weekly sessions or via 3-hour EMDR Intensives. Reach out to see which option would be best for you.
If you would like to see if we would be a good therapeutic fit, schedule a free 20-minute consultation by clicking the button below.
