What’s EMDR?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), is an evidence based approach most widely known for treating PTSD and other trauma-related issues. However, research has also proven EMDR to be highly effective in the treatment of other conditions such as anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, depression, grief, chronic pain, addictions, and performance anxiety.
One major belief of the EMDR approach is that our present day struggles, emotionally charged experiences, and behavioral reactions are highly impacted by previous traumatic experiences. These challenging experiences not only shape the way we think about ourselves but how we also interpret perceived threats in the world around us.
The major aim of EMDR is to help you access stored memories and narratives through various neural networks. EMDR helps you to reprocess the above by aiding in the brain’s natural problem solving processes. Once problem solving abilities are activated, the brain can then move towards resolution and healing.
Processing through EMDR helps you break through the unconscious emotional blocks that are keeping you from living an adaptive, emotionally healthy life.
How does it work?
The way of EMDR is to identify negative neural networks in the brain, as well as positive neural networks. We begin targeting the negative neural network through a process called desensitization. It is this desensitization that helps us feel less reactive and debilitated by challenging experiences and unhelpful self beliefs.
Once desensitization is complete, we then focus on connecting negative neural networks to more adaptive neural networks. This connection is completed through the installation phase of processing. Here, we focus on strengthening the neural pathways of connection, as well as enhancing the existing adaptive network itself. This enables problem solving abilities that were once unavailable to the brain upon initial encoding of the event/ memory.
As we focus on bridging these two neural networks, we are allowing the brain to engage in adaptive learning and information processing. These two ingredients are not only crucial to the healing process but also what makes each and every person intrinsically “wired to heal.”
In both the desensitization and installation phases of processing, EMDR uses its hallmark technique of rapid eye movements (or other forms of bilateral stimulation) to mimmic REM sleep and help you update disturbing experiences and increase problem solving abilities.
REM is the body’s natural way of processing information and providing healing to the individual. During sleep, we alternate between regular sleep and REM (rapid eye movement). This sleep pattern helps you process things that are troubling you. EMDR replicates this sleep pattern by alternating between sets of eye movements and brief reports about what you are noticing. This alternating process helps update memories to a healthier present perspective.
What makes it different?
EMDR focuses on the brain’s ability to constantly learn and adapt. With EMDR, we take past experiences and update them with current information.
Through adaptive learning, the brain is constantly updating memory network systems.
Unfortunately, past emotionally-charged experiences often interfere with this updating process.
EMDR works by breaking through that interference and helping you to let go of the past. Then you are able to update your experiences to a healthier present perspective.
Through a set of specific procedures, EMDR organizes your negative/ positive feelings, emotions, and thoughts. Then bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, etc.) is used as the way to help you effectively work through those disturbing memories.