EMDR Therapy: Nurturing Your Brain's Innate Healing Mechanisms

Written by Aimee Oliveri (Clinical Psychologist & Mental Health Content Creator) in Collaboration with Clarity Health Care 

When working with clients, therapists often draw from a range of different therapeutic techniques, tailoring their approach to the individual’s needs. One approach that has gained attention and recognition for its effectiveness is Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. In this article, we'll break down the complex-sounding name and provide you with a clearer understanding of what EMDR is and how it can help you in your journey towards healing and mental well-being. 

What is EMDR? 

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy emerged in the late 1980s as a ground-breaking approach pioneered by Psychologist Francine Shapiro. EMDR involves a structured approach where the therapist helps the client access and work through traumatic memories.   

During EMDR, the therapist guides the client in concentrating on various elements of a traumatic memory. As part of this process, the therapist employs bilateral stimulation, a technique in which the client follows the therapist's hand moving back and forth in their field of vision. This bilateral stimulation is thought to activate the brain's natural healing mechanisms, enabling the reprocessing of traumatic memories. Consequently, a once-disruptive and distressing memory is reintegrated, causing less interference and reduced emotional charge. 

Note: Bilateral stimulation can take various forms, such as lateral eye movements, hand-tapping, or auditory cues. 

Who is EMDR For? 

EMDR therapy was initially developed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, since its introduction, EMDR has become increasingly popular. Today, it is used to address a wide range of concerns, including: 

• Other trauma disorders such as personality disorders and dissociative disorders 

• Anxiety and phobias 

• Depression 

• Eating Disorders 

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) 

• Addictions 

• Grief and Loss 

Memory Processing – Regular vs Traumatic Memories 

To grasp the mechanics of EMDR therapy, it's valuable to delve into how our brain handles memories.  

Regular Memories:  

When dealing with regular memories, our brain acts like a “filing system”. It carefully encodes and stores memories in a way that allows for efficient retrieval when needed. 

Traumatic memories: 

When we encounter trauma or complex trauma, our brain acts more like a “cluttered linen closet.” 

That is, the brain becomes overwhelmed by the excessive amount of information and starts shoving memories into the closet without any semblance of order or structure, intending to deal with them later. Consequently, every time you pass by the closet, the door swings open, and memories spill out. In simpler terms, encountering reminders of the trauma triggers flashbacks or intrusive memories.  

A common response to these traumatic memories is to quickly return them to the closet and shut the door. Unfortunately, this perpetuates the issue; memories continue to be crammed into the closet, and the door remains prone to bursting open unexpectedly due to its overloaded state. 

EMDR in Practice – How Does it Work? 

 

Now that we have an understanding of how traumatic memories are formed, let's explore how EMDR Therapy works.  

Central to EMDR is the concept of Adaptive Information Processing (AIP), a theory that suggests our brains naturally attempt to process experiences to facilitate healing and growth (Shapiro, 2001). This theory explains why we are often drawn to expressive activities like journaling, confiding in others, and creative and cathartic endeavours. However, with traumatic memories, there are often blocks that make the memories feel too real and overwhelming to confront on our own. EMDR utilises bilateral stimulation to harnesses our brains natural healing process, giving us the opportunity to tackle traumatic memories in a safe environment, with the guidance of a trained professional. 

In the context of the “cluttered linen cupboard”, EMDR acts like a skilled organiser, helping your brain open the cupboard, take out the traumatic memories, and rearrange them in a more orderly fashion. This way, the "cupboard" can be closed more effectively, and the traumatic memories no longer fall out unexpectedly. It’s kind of like spring cleaning for the mind. 

EMDR Therapy Sessions – What to Expect? 

While certain aspects of EMDR Therapy may seem straightforward on the surface, in reality, EMDR is not a simple therapy. It comprises a total of 8 phases, and there are numerous additional components beyond the ones mentioned earlier that are integral to its effectiveness. For instance, EMDR therapists also dedicate time to empower their clients with the necessary emotional self-care strategies to use between sessions. 

Regarding the duration of EMDR, it typically ranges from 3 to 6 sessions for a single traumatic event or memory. More complex or longer-term traumas may require 8 to 12 sessions, sometimes more (EMDR Institute, 2023). Sessions typically last between 60 to 90 minutes. 

Key Takeaways 

EMDR therapy is a powerful tool in the world of mental health, designed to facilitate the processing and reorganising of traumatic memories. EMDR can be likened to a mental spring cleaning, where traumatic memories represent a disorderly cupboard, and EMDR acts as the expert organiser, helping your brain reorder the cupboard. 

If you’re interested in exploring EMDR further, our team at Clarity Health Care are well-versed in EMDR therapy and can guide you on your path to healing.   

Please contact Clarity Health Care here for guidance on booking an appointment with one of our mental health clinicians.