Tiffany Armes, P.M.H.N.P. – B.C. recently became a trained EMDR clinician. First of all, EMDR is short for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. EMDR is a therapeutic approach that addresses how past emotionally charged experiences affect current emotions, sensations, and self-perceptions. It helps individuals process and resolve emotional blocks by using rapid eye movements, similar to the brain’s natural processing during REM sleep. This technique facilitates updating distressing memories to support healthier emotional perspectives and adaptive living.
EMDR differs from other therapies by leveraging the brain’s ability to adapt and update memory networks. It focuses on resolving interference caused by past emotionally charged experiences, allowing for healthier present perspectives. Using structured procedures and bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or tapping, EMDR helps organize and process negative and positive emotions, facilitating effective resolution of disturbing memories.
When using EMDR for treatment, it begins with identifying your concerns and understanding their dynamics. Together with your therapist, you’ll develop a comprehensive plan to achieve your goals, incorporating EMDR alongside other therapy methods. In a session you might answer questions to activate negative experiences and identify desired resolutions. Then you will be encouraged to just “free associate” and allow the brain to work through the experience. Then rapid eye movements or bilateral stimulation will be used while you freely process these thoughts and emotions. This continues until past experiences are reframed with an adaptive present perspective, which may take multiple sessions for complex issues. After resolving troubling experiences, you and your therapist will integrate these new perspectives into your daily life for lasting change.
To summarize, EMDR is a powerful, evidence-based psychotherapy designed to help individuals heal from traumatic experiences and distressing memories. By using bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, EMDR helps the brain reprocess emotional pain. This enables a healthier response to past events. EMDR effectively addresses trauma, anxiety, and related challenges, providing relief and empowerment. Talk with your clinician if you are interested in exploring EMDR.