Healing Trauma with EMDR
What is Trauma?
Psychological trauma refers to the emotional and psychological response that occurs when an individual experiences a distressing or overwhelming event or series of events that exceed their capacity to cope. Trauma can have a profound and lasting impact on a person's mental and emotional well-being.
How your trauma may impact behavior:
You have a constant feeling of worthlessness or feel like you are not “good enough”
You are very self-critical
You are a people pleaser and easily become the one who takes care of others and doesn’t let others take care of you
You don’t ask for help
You have a hard time connecting with romantic partners due to the shame you feel from the trauma you experienced
You jump to negative conclusions about what others think of you
You shut down and get '“stuck” during an arguments
You feel “numb” and disconnected when conflict arises
Effects of psychological trauma:
Flashbacks: Vivid and distressing recollections of the traumatic event.
Nightmares: Repeated distressing dreams related to the trauma.
Hyperarousal: An increased state of alertness, which can lead to difficulty sleeping, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.
Avoidance: Avoiding situations, people, or places that remind the person of the trauma.
Emotional Distress: Symptoms of depression, anxiety, guilt, shame, anger, or numbness.
Physical Symptoms: Trauma can manifest physically with headaches, gastrointestinal issues, and other health problems.
Dissociation: Feeling disconnected from one's body or surroundings.
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an evidence-based psychotherapy approach primarily used to treat individuals who have experienced trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). EMDR therapy involves a structured eight-phase approach to help individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences.
The Phases of EMDR
1 - History Taking + Treatment Planning
In the initial phase, the therapist gathers information about the client's history, including their trauma, symptoms, and current life circumstances. Together, the therapist and client develop a treatment plan that outlines the specific targets and issues to address during EMDR therapy..
2 - Preparation
In this phase, the therapist educates the client about the EMDR process, what to expect during sessions, and how to manage distressing emotions and sensations that may arise. The therapist and client establish trust and build a therapeutic relationship to ensure the client feels safe and supported throughout the process.
3- Assessment
The assessment phase involves identifying specific traumatic memories or target issues that will be the focus of EMDR processing. Clients are asked to choose a distressing memory or issue that is related to their trauma for processing.
4 - Desensitization
This phase is where the actual EMDR processing occurs. The client holds the traumatic memory or issue in their mind while simultaneously focusing on bilateral stimulation, typically achieved through side-to-side eye movements, auditory tones, or tapping. This bilateral stimulation helps the client process the memory and reduce emotional distress associated with it. The goal is to desensitize the memory and make it less distressing.
5 - Installation
During this phase, the therapist and client work together to install positive beliefs and self-esteem related to the traumatic memory. The client identifies and strengthens positive thoughts and beliefs that counteract the negative beliefs associated with the trauma.
6 - Body Scan
In this phase, the client is encouraged to notice any physical sensations or tension related to the traumatic memory or target issue. Bilateral stimulation is used to help the client process and release any residual physical tension or discomfort.
7 - Closure
After each EMDR processing session, the therapist ensures that the client is in a stable state emotionally and provides techniques for self-soothing and relaxation if needed. Clients are encouraged to maintain a journal of any thoughts or experiences that arise between sessions.
8 - Reevaluation
In the final phase, the therapist and client review progress and assess whether the traumatic memory or target issue has been adequately processed and if any additional work is needed.