What to Expect in EMDR Therapy Sessions: A Comprehensive Guide
Wondering what to expect in EMDR therapy? This guide covers everything from the initial assessment to the final session. Learn how EMDR can help reprocess traumatic memories and reduce emotional distress. EMDR therapy is structured into eight distinct phases: initial history discovery and treatment planning, preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation, body scan, closure, and reevaluation.
Key Takeaways
EMDR therapy utilizes bilateral stimulation to help individuals process traumatic memories, effectively reducing their emotional distress and promoting mental wellness.
The therapy is structured into eight phases, which systematically guide clients through treatment, ensuring a comprehensive approach to addressing trauma.
EMDR is recognized as an effective treatment for PTSD and various anxiety disorders, offering quicker recovery outcomes compared to traditional therapeutic methods.
Understanding EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy is a revolutionary approach designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories and other emotional challenges. The primary goal is to support mental wellness by helping individuals process and understand their trauma. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR therapy aims to reprocess distressing memories, thus reducing their intensity and emotional disturbance. This method operates on the principle that unprocessed traumatic memories contribute significantly to psychological distress.
Key to EMDR therapy is the concept of bilateral stimulation, which can involve:
guided eye movements
tapping
audio cues
These methods facilitate accessing and processing traumatic memories. EMDR targets specific distressing memories and re-evaluates the negative beliefs tied to them, promoting long-term healing and reducing emotional distress. This structured approach has been shown to be particularly effective in treating PTSD and other trauma-related conditions, including eye movement desensitization techniques.
The Eight Phases of EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy is methodically structured into eight distinct phases, each guiding the treatment process and ensuring a comprehensive approach to healing. This structured method allows both the therapist and the client to navigate the therapy systematically, ensuring that all aspects of trauma are addressed and processed effectively.
Each phase contributes to the overall healing journey and sets the stage for the next phases.
History and Treatment Planning
The journey begins with an initial assessment, where the therapist:
Discusses the client’s initial history discovery to develop a personalized treatment plan.
Tailors the therapy to the individual’s needs to ensure comprehensive care.
Assesses both internal and external resources.
Identifies specific events, relationships, or themes that may contribute to the client’s distress. In the first phase of EMDR treatment, the therapist takes a thorough history of the client and develops a treatment plan that defines the specific targets on which to use EMDR.
The goal is to gather a detailed understanding of the client focuses’ life experiences and traumatic experiences and traumatic events.
The treatment plan defines specific targets for EMDR, making the therapy more focused and effective. Identifying past memories, current triggers, and future goals ensures that the EMDR sessions are structured and goal-oriented. This phase sets the stage for the subsequent phases by laying a solid foundation for the targeted memory healing process.
Preparation and Resourcing
In the preparation phase, the focus shifts to establishing coping mechanisms and emotional regulation skills. This phase is essential for helping clients feel emotionally grounded and capable of managing distress before they begin processing traumatic memories. Therapists collaborate with clients to develop specific techniques for managing emotional disturbances, such as relaxation techniques and imagery.
Establishing a ‘safe place’ is a critical component of this phase, helping clients transition from distress to calm and manage their emotional regulation. The ultimate goal is to empower clients during the EMDR process. Support is also a key aspect of their experience. Trust between the client and therapist is particularly important during these early sessions to build a strong therapeutic alliance. The second phase of EMDR therapy focuses on establishing a relationship of trust between the client and the therapist and teaching the client specific techniques to manage emotional disturbances.
Assessment
The assessment phase involves:
Identifying target memories and the associated negative beliefs.
Assisting the client in selecting a specific memory or mental picture from the target event to focus on during EMDR processing.
Evaluating the emotional intensity of these memories using the Subjective Units of Disturbance (SUD) scale.
Another crucial aspect is identifying a negative belief tied to the traumatic memory and replacing it with a positive belief self-statement that reflects an internal sense of control. This helps in reshaping the client’s belief system and is an integral part of the treatment plan. In the fifth phase, installation, the focus is on concentrating and strengthening the positive belief that replaces the client's original negative belief.
The thorough assessment ensures that the EMDR sessions are tailored to target the most distressing aspects of the client’s trauma.
What Happens During an EMDR Session?
A typical EMDR therapy session occurs one time a week, usually lasting between six to twelve sessions. Each single session is structured to guide both the therapist and the client through the treatment process methodically. The initial phases focus on preparation and activating the target memory, setting the stage for the core processing work. Bilateral stimulation, achieved through eye movements, sounds, or taps, is a key component during these sessions.
During the processing phase, clients are actively engaged through the following steps:
Focus on a specific event or memory with guidance from the therapist.
Share their thoughts, feelings, and body sensations, allowing the therapist to track progress and manage any discomfort.
Let their mind go blank and observe any thoughts, feelings, or sensations that arise after each set of bilateral stimulation.
This iterative process helps in reducing emotional distress and processing the traumatic memory more effectively. The fourth phase, desensitization, addresses the person's disturbing emotions and sensations associated with the target event until those sensations are significantly reduced.
Throughout the session, standardized measures like the Subjective Units of Disturbance (SUD) scale are used to assess emotional disturbance. Clients can stop the therapist at any time if they feel uncomfortable, ensuring they have full control over their therapy.
This structured yet flexible approach ensures that clients can process their trauma at their own pace, with the support and guidance of their therapist.
Processing Traumatic Memories
EMDR therapy is unique in that it directly focuses on the memory itself rather than attempting to alter emotional responses through traditional talk therapy. This approach helps clients reprocess traumatic memories, leading to a healthier perspective on past traumatic events. Re-evaluating the negative beliefs tied to these experiences helps reduce the emotional disturbances associated with trauma.
One of the significant advantages of EMDR is that it does not require clients to divulge detailed trauma narratives. Instead, the focus is on their emotional and physical reactions. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals who find it challenging to talk about their trauma. Clients often report a decrease in distress levels after processing traumatic memories through EMDR. This shift in trauma memory can lead to an overall reduction in PTSD symptoms and improved emotional regulation.
Research indicates that EMDR generally yields faster outcomes compared to traditional therapeutic approaches, making it an efficient method for treating PTSD and other trauma-related conditions. The therapy encourages the formation of new, adaptive connections with previously distressing memories, further aiding in long-term healing. EMDR works by facilitating this process effectively. Studies indicate that 84%-90% of single-trauma victims no longer have PTSD after only three EMDR sessions.
Body Scan and Physical Sensations
The body scan phase ensures that both the emotional and physical aspects of the traumatic memory have been adequately processed. During this phase:
The therapist identifies any leftover physical discomfort related to traumatic memories.
The therapist guides the client to explore their bodily sensations.
This exploration helps in releasing any stored tension related to trauma, which can manifest as muscle tension or changes in breathing. The sixth phase, body scan, involves the therapist asking the client to bring the original target event to mind to identify any residual tension in the body that needs processing.
The therapist identifies any leftover physical discomfort related to traumatic memories.
The therapist guides the client to explore their bodily sensations.
This exploration helps in releasing any stored tension related to trauma, which can manifest as muscle tension or changes in breathing.
Focusing on these physical responses helps clients achieve a more comprehensive release of trauma-related discomfort. The body scan is a crucial step in ensuring that the healing process addresses all facets of the traumatic memory, leading to a more balanced and holistic recovery.
Closure and Self-Calming Techniques
Closure is an essential phase in EMDR therapy, ensuring that clients leave sessions feeling stabilized and equipped with coping strategies for any unprocessed memories. Key aspects include:
If the processing of a traumatic event is incomplete, the therapist assists clients in using self-calming techniques to regain equilibrium.
Clients are encouraged to keep a log of their self-calming activities.
This log serves as a reminder of these techniques and helps in managing distress between sessions. Closure is the seventh phase of EMDR therapy, ensuring that the client leaves each session feeling better than at the beginning and providing techniques to regain equilibrium if needed.
If the processing of a traumatic event is incomplete, the therapist assists clients in using self-calming techniques to regain equilibrium.
Clients are encouraged to keep a log of their self-calming activities.
This log serves as a reminder of these techniques and helps in managing distress between sessions.
In the final sessions, clients discuss their processed memories and consider future situations as part of their healing. This phase not only helps in consolidating the gains made during the therapy but also prepares clients for the next session of future challenges, ensuring they have the tools and confidence to manage distressing situations independently.
Reevaluation and Future Sessions
The re evaluation phase occurs at the beginning of every new EMDR session, allowing therapists to:
Assess the client’s psychological state and the efficacy of prior sessions.
Review previously processed memories to confirm that distress levels remain low.
Assess the effectiveness of established positive beliefs. The eighth phase, reevaluation, opens every new session to assess the progress of previous treatment and to address ongoing issues.
Assess the client’s psychological state and the efficacy of prior sessions.
Review previously processed memories to confirm that distress levels remain low.
Assess the effectiveness of established positive beliefs.
This ongoing assessment ensures that the therapy remains adaptive to the client’s evolving needs.
Changes in thought patterns, such as new insights or perspectives about past experiences, can occur after EMDR sessions, highlighting the dynamic nature of the healing process. Therapists and clients work together to identify new treatment targets for future sessions based on ongoing progress and needs. This iterative process ensures that the therapy continues to address the most relevant aspects of the client’s trauma and emotional challenges.
Post-Session Reactions
It’s typical for clients to feel drained after an EMDR session due to the mental and emotional exertion involved. Clients may experience a range of emotional responses, including:
Relief
Joy
Sadness
Frustration immediately following a session
In the days following a session, mood fluctuations and increased emotional sensitivity are common as the mind continues to process posttraumatic stress disorder, the trauma, and painful events.
Engaging in self-care activities, such as journaling, creative expression, or physical activities like stretching or walking, can help manage distress post-session reactions. Grounding techniques and self-compassion practices are also beneficial in managing negative emotions and promoting resilience.
Reaching out for support from trusted individuals can provide additional comfort and perspective during these times.
Is EMDR Therapy Right for You?
EMDR therapy is recognized as a highly effective treatment for trauma by leading organizations such as the American Psychiatric Association and the World Health Organization. Clinical observations and studies have shown that EMDR therapy can accelerate the learning processes, often leading to quicker recovery compared to other therapeutic methods. The Department of Veterans Affairs endorses EMDR as a top treatment option for veterans with PTSD, with studies indicating significant success rates. EMDR has also been recognized as an effective treatment for trauma by the Department of Defense.
While EMDR is particularly effective for PTSD, it can also address various anxiety disorders, depression, and even dissociative disorders. However, it may not be suitable for conditions unrelated to trauma, such as certain inherited mental health disorders. Consulting with a qualified EMDR therapist can help determine if this therapy is the right fit for your specific needs and circumstances.
How to Find a Qualified EMDR Therapist
Finding a qualified EMDR therapist is crucial to the success of your therapy. Therapists should ideally have completed a minimum of 50 hours of training, including supervised practice and continuing education, to ethically market themselves as EMDR trained. It’s also helpful to look for trauma-informed language in their communications and marketing materials, which shows sensitivity and expertise in working with trauma.
To begin your search:
Use Psychology Today and filter results by therapists trained in EMDR.
During initial consultations, prospective clients should:
Ask therapists about their specific EMDR training.
Inquire about their experience with trauma-related issues.
Request a brief phone consultation to see if they’re a good fit.
Choosing a therapist who is well-qualified and experienced can significantly impact the effectiveness of your EMDR therapy.
If you’re in Colorado and wondering whether EMDR could be the right fit, our team at South Denver Therapy is here to help. We offer a free consultation to talk through your needs, answer your questions, and see if EMDR therapy is the right path forward.
Summary
In summary, EMDR therapy is a structured and effective approach to treating trauma and emotional disturbances. By guiding clients through eight distinct phases, EMDR helps reprocess traumatic memories and reduce emotional distress, leading to long-term healing and improved mental wellness. The therapy’s focus on both emotional and physical aspects of trauma ensures a holistic recovery process.
Whether you’re considering EMDR for PTSD, anxiety, or other emotional challenges, finding a qualified therapist and understanding the therapy process can significantly enhance your healing journey. EMDR offers a promising path to transforming painful memories into sources of strength and resilience, helping you move forward with greater confidence and emotional stability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is EMDR therapy, and how does it work?
EMDR therapy is an effective treatment for alleviating distress from traumatic memories through bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, tapping, or audio cues. This process assists clients in reprocessing and reframing their memories, leading to healthier psychological outcomes.
What can I expect during an EMDR therapy session?
You can expect to engage in bilateral stimulation while focusing on specific traumatic memories, as the therapist guides you through processing these experiences. Typical sessions are held once a week and may include body scans and emotional evaluations.
How long does EMDR therapy take to show results?
EMDR therapy typically yields noticeable improvements within six to twelve sessions. This approach often results in faster outcomes compared to traditional therapies, facilitating quicker recovery.
Is EMDR therapy suitable for everyone?
EMDR therapy is not suitable for everyone, particularly for those with conditions unrelated to trauma. It is essential to consult a qualified EMDR therapist to determine its appropriateness for your individual situation.
How do I find a qualified EMDR therapist?
To find a qualified EMDR therapist, start with popular directories such as Psychology Today, where you can filter specifically for therapists trained in EMDR. Seek individuals who have undergone comprehensive EMDR training and have experience in trauma-related therapies. Many therapists will offer a free consultation where you can ask questions and make sure it feels like a good fit with your therapist.
