What Happens During an EMDR Therapy
When you try something new, it's common to feel a little bit of anxiety and stress. You've never done it before, so you're not quite sure what to expect. It can feel uncomfortable to step outside of your comfort zone. Change is hard. It comes with challenges, but it can also come with growth, opportunities and possibilities. The same can be said about therapy, no matter if you've been going for months or if you're completely new to the process. Your therapist may have mentioned EMDR, or you may have heard of it in passing. Either way, you may be thinking…..
What is EMDR?
Is EMDR a good fit for me?
How do I get started with EMDR Therapy?
Here's what happens during an EMDR Therapy session.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. EMDR is a type of therapy used to help people manage and recover from trauma and emotional distress.
What to Expect During a Session
EMDR therapy has eight very specific phases, although movement between them may not be linear.
Phase 1: History and Treatment Planning
The first phase of EMDR Therapy is dedicated to exploring and understanding the client's history, then developing a treatment plan. The client and therapist will work together to prepare for and determine readiness for EMDR, and will develop a treatment plan together, based on the client’s history, current symptoms, and what the client wants to focus on.
Phase 2: Preparation
During the preparation phase, the therapist and client will be assessing and building skills to help the client stay anchored in the present moment, in a process known as resourcing. This is also the stage where the therapist will review the EMDR process and explain what is happening during all phases so that the client feels better prepared, informed, and more at ease with the process.
Phases 3-6: Assessment, Desensitization, Installation, and Body Scan
The next four phases consist of:
The assessment, used to identify a target, along with any images, feelings, and sensations surrounding the event.
Desensitization is what makes up the D in EMDR therapy. This is where bilateral stimulation (such as side to side eye movements, tapping, or auditory shifting from ear to ear) happens simultaneously while the client maintains focus on the traumatic event/senstions. The therapist will work with the client to replace any negative or maladaptive thoughts and feelings associated with the trauma with new and adaptive ones.
Installation begins when desensitization is complete. The client will continue to build on those positive thoughts and feelings until they believe them to be completely true.
And during the sixth phase, the body scan, a client will try to focus their efforts on the target traumatic event while scanning their body from head to toe. This will ensure that any “leftover” negative feelings are addressed and reprocessed.
Phase 7: Closure
In the closure stage, the therapist may request the client to keep track of any symptoms, triggers, or sensations that may come up. The tracking journal or log should contain any relevant information that may occur during the week following the EMDR session. It is also a great way to remind the client of the soothing and coping mechanisms they learned during Phase 2.
Phase 8: Reevaluation
The final phase is a reevaluation. This is when a therapist and the client will come together to look back on the progress that has been made since starting the first phase of treatment.
Next Steps
The overall goal of EMDR therapy is to reduce the distress tied to traumatic events. There isn't a one size fits all approach to therapy. Your experience with EMDR may be very different from what you’re expecting, but the outcome will likely be the same - hopefully that you are feeling better! Contact us today to see if EMDR therapy is right for you.