EMDR Therapy - Gentle Pathways – Centre for Healing and Trauma Therapy

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

A type of therapy that helps people process and reduce the emotional charge of traumatic or upsetting memories. In simple terms, during EMDR sessions I will guide you to stimulate both the right and left sides of your brain—this could be through eye movements, holding buzzing “tappers” that alternate between your hands, or listening to sounds that move from one ear to the other.

By engaging both sides of the brain, we tap into the brain’s natural healing abilities to help process and integrate traumatic memories. Once a memory is processed, you can recall the event without the intense emotional charge it once had, allowing you to feel a sense of peace and relief.

Our Brain

The human brain is truly remarkable, with an incredible capacity for healing. However, when a traumatic or overwhelming experience occurs, it can get “stuck” and not be properly processed like other memories. Instead of being resolved and feeling like a part of the past, an unprocessed traumatic memory can feel like:

Reliving the experience repeatedly
Experiencing intense feelings of fear, sadness, irritability, and loneliness
Constantly feeling unsafe, even when you are in a safe environment
Feeling uncomfortable in your own body and the world around you

These lingering effects of unresolved trauma can prevent us from living a fulfilling life.

Who can benefit from EMDR therapy?

Survivors of various traumatic events—including physical or sexual abuse, accidents, combat, or natural disasters—often find that EMDR helps them reprocess and integrate painful memories, thereby reducing symptoms such as flashbacks, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts. In addition to PTSD, research has shown that individuals dealing with anxiety disorders, depression, and panic disorders can benefit from EMDR’s structured approach, as it helps address the emotional roots of these conditions.

EMDR is effective across all age groups, including children, adolescents, teenagers, and adults.

Why is this treatment used?

EMDR therapy doesn’t require you to discuss every detail of a distressing issue. Instead, it targets the emotions, thoughts, and behaviors that stem from traumatic experiences, helping your brain to naturally heal over time. Although many people use “mind” and “brain” interchangeably, they are actually distinct. Your brain is a physical organ, while your mind is the sum of your thoughts, memories, beliefs, and experiences that make you who you are.

How your mind functions is tied to your brain’s structure, which consists of interconnected networks of cells spread across various regions. This is particularly true for the areas responsible for memory and sensory processing. These networks allow these regions to work together efficiently, which is why sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and tactile sensations can trigger strong, vivid memories.

How long does it take to complete EMDR?

A typical EMDR therapy session lasts between 60 and 90 minutes, and processing one traumatic experience might require one session or several sessions. The therapy aims to fully resolve the distress associated with traumatic memories while also integrating new, healthier experiences.

The objective of EMDR is to completely work through the traumatic events that cause ongoing problems, tailoring the treatment duration to the individual client’s history. Treating a single trauma target effectively involves a three-part approach that addresses past memories, current disturbances, and future actions. Although EMDR can sometimes achieve results faster than other therapies, the focus is on addressing each client’s unique needs rather than on rapid results.

What conditions does EMDR treat?

EMDR has been found helpful for a range of issues, including:

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): It’s most well-known for reducing symptoms of PTSD by addressing the root traumatic experiences.
Anxiety and Panic Attacks: It can help lower the intensity of anxiety and the frequency of panic episodes.
Depression: Some people find that EMDR helps lift depressive symptoms by addressing negative memories and thoughts.
Phobias: It can reduce the emotional impact of deep-seated fears.
Grief and Loss: EMDR can assist in processing intense feelings related to loss.
Stress and Emotional Overwhelm: It’s also used to manage stress and help people feel more balanced when facing everyday challenges.

How is EMDR therapy different from Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) ?

Less Emphasis on Verbal Details:

EMDR doesn’t require you to talk in depth about every detail of your trauma. Instead, it uses guided eye movements or other bilateral stimulation to help process distressing memories. This can be less overwhelming for some people compared to the extensive verbal processing required in CBT.

Potential for Faster Symptom Relief:

Some clients experience quicker relief from trauma symptoms with EMDR, as the process targets the distressing memory directly and can sometimes lead to rapid changes.

Access to Implicit Memory Networks:

EMDR is designed to work with the brain’s natural processing system and may help access and reprocess traumatic memories that are not fully accessible through traditional talk therapies.

What are the risk / benefits of EMDR therapy?

Benefits

Less Intense: doesn’t require you to recount every detail of your traumatic experience extensively
Natural healing: helps your brain reprocess traumatic memories, potentially reducing their emotional charge and allowing for natural healing.
Flexibility for a Range of Issues: While it’s especially effective for trauma and PTSD, EMDR has also been used to help with anxiety, phobias, and stress, offering a versatile approach for emotional regulation.

Risks

Emotional Intensity: While EMDR often avoids extensive verbal recounting, the process can sometimes trigger strong emotions or flashbacks if not managed carefully. It’s important that EMDR is conducted by a therapist trained in the method who can monitor and support the client through these reactions.
Suitability and Client Preference: Not every client responds the same way to either therapy. Some may find the structured, thought-challenging techniques of CBT more accessible, while others may benefit more from the non-verbal, processing-focused approach of EMDR.
Therapist Training and Experience: The effectiveness of both therapies largely depends on the therapist’s expertise. Ensuring your therapist is well-trained in the specific method is key to a positive outcome.

Overall EMDR therapy carries minimal risks. The most common side effects are experiencing negative thoughts or feelings between sessions. Your therapist can explain what you might expect and offer strategies to manage these reactions.