Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that is effective for resolving emotional difficulties and negative beliefs about oneself. When people are traumatized or having upsetting experiences, there is a loss of sense of control over their lives. This can result in symptoms of anxiety, depression, irritability, anger, guilt, and/or behavioral issues including disruption in sleeping and eating.

Events such as accidents, abuse, violence, death, and natural disasters are traumatic, but we do not always recognize the ways they affect and influence a person’s everyday life. Even common upsetting events such as divorce, school problems, relationship difficulties, failures, and family problems can deeply affect a person’s sense of security, self-esteem, and development.

When an upsetting, scary, or painful experience occurs, sometimes the memory of the experience stays “stuck” or “frozen” in the mind and body. The experience may return in a distressing and intrusive way and a person may cope by avoiding everything associated with the upsetting experience. For example, this may show up in nightmares, being fearful, and overall avoidance of any reminders of the experience or event.

Most experts agree that they best way to get “unstuck” and become free from the symptoms that are causing distress is through exposure to the traumatic experience. This means the person will work through facing the memories or troubling events until they are no longer disturbing.

Bilateral stimulation refers to the use of alternating, right-left tracking that may take the form of eye movements, tones or music delivered to each ear, or tactile stimulation, such as buzzing or alternate hand tapping.

Bilateral stimulation (BLS) is used while the person is focusing on the disturbing experience. When an upsetting memory is “desensitized” the person can face the past events without feeling disturbed, frightened, or avoidant.

“Reprocessing” simply means that new understandings, sensations, and feelings can be paired up with the old disturbing thoughts, feelings, and images.

A typical EMDR session (60-90 minutes) begins in a positive way by using skills for emotional regulation and self-soothing. The initial sessions are focused on understanding emotions, building a positive relationship with the therapist, and learning resourcing skills for coping. Next, the person is asked to bring up an upsetting memory or event that is related to the presenting problem of therapy.

After EMDR treatment, the troubling memories, thoughts, and feelings can be more comfortably recalled as “just something that happened” and people begin to feel like “it’s over now,” “I am safe,” “I did the best I could, it’s not my fault,” and “I have other choices now.”

EMDR therapy helps resolve the troubling thoughts and feelings associated to the distressing memories so that people can return to healthy ways of functioning and coping. EMDR can also help to strengthen feelings of confidence, calmness, and mastery.

EMDR therapy has 8 phases of treatment that integrate the tools and skills learned and practiced from talk therapy and/or art therapy.

Phase 1: Assessment. History taking, treatment planning and establishing goals.

Phase 2: Client Preparation. Learning and practicing coping skills and grounding tools to control intense emotions that arise.

Phases 3-6: Assessment, Desensitization, Installation, & Body Scan. The “reprocessing” through BLS, helping it “stick”, and scanning for any sensation that indicates where trauma may still be stored in the body.

Phase 7: Closure. Helping client calm down and applying self-soothing strategies. Client may be asked to track what comes up in between sessions.

Phase 8: Reevaluation. This phase is usually at the beginning of the following session, presents an evaluation of the previous week’s process and possible identifying of new materials that have to be addressed.

In 1987, psychologist Francine Shapiro, PhD, made the chance observation that, under certain conditions, eye movements can reduce the intensity of negative, disturbing thoughts. Since her initial discovery, there have been more controlled research studies investigating EMDR and its effectiveness than any other trauma therapy. Reviewers around the world agree that EMDR agree that it is effective in the treatment of traumatic events.

While it is still unclear how exactly the bilateral stimulations work, ongoing investigations continue. We do know that it is not hypnosis; and theories posit it may be that eye movements work similarly to what occurs naturally during dreaming or REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, where certain information is processed. Additionally, it is possible that BLS produces a relaxation response or a distraction that helps people relax rather than avoid facing disturbing events. Others think that BLS may help bring all the parts of the brain and mind together, and therefore, allowing for access to the body’s natural healing mechanisms. Ultimately, the brain knows how to and will, heal itself if given the chance.