What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an extensively researched therapeutic approach that combines the tolerable activation (uncomfortable, but tolerable!) of traumatic memories and bilateral stimulation to activate both hemispheres of the brain. This process is designed to mimic our brain activity during REM sleep, which is often challenging to get to after experiencing a traumatic incident.

Since its initial development in 1987 by Dr. Francine Shapiro to reduce the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), EMDR has been recognized as an effective treatment for disorders such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and other symptoms associated with distressing life events. Even though it’s currently being utilized for different disorders, EMDR continues to focus on one goal: to reduce the emotional and physical disturbance associated with traumatic memories.

How does EMDR work?

This therapeutic modality is guided by the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, which believes that the brain and body are constantly working together to create an internal information processing system. When supported effectively, this processing system is capable of responding to and making sense of a variety of different situations, including emotionally and physically disturbing situations.

However, this processing system can sometimes become stuck in a loop when there is not enough information to support the processing of certain traumatic information. Afterall, isn’t trauma something that happened to us that shouldn’t have happened? Our processing system sometimes just cannot make sense of the traumatic incident because it simply shouldn’t have happened. This is where adaptive information, which includes positive beliefs about being human (including that we are inherently worthy of love and compassion, our human needs are valid, etc.), can play a crucial role in “unstuck-ing” the brain.

EMDR recognizes that the brain needs adaptive information in order to promote the healthy processing of traumatic memories. An EMDR therapist guides the client through the tolerable activation of a traumatic memory, assesses for the emotional and physical distress that are associated with it, and helps the client in shifting the negative belief or information attached to this memory to adaptive information that causes less distress so that they can return to a state that is more balanced and peaceful.

Who is EMDR for?

EMDR therapy has been researched to be beneficial for the following conditions:

• Anxiety (including performance anxiety and phobias)
• Depression
• Dissociative disorders
• Eating disorders
• Grief
• Personality Disorders
• PTSD and other trauma-related disorders
• Substance abuse

EMDR can be effective for those who have experienced distressing events and feel that they are ready to reprocess their memories and adopt more adaptive beliefs in their life.

Jeannette Setiawan, LMFT is an EMDRIA-certified licensed marriage and family therapist. To learn more about her work, view her bio. To request an appointment with her, please call us at 510-981-1471