The Power of EMDR

The Power of EMDR: How This Therapeutic Approach Can Help Heal Trauma and Improve Mental Health. + 7 EMDR Interventions

This past year I accomplished a goal of becoming EMDR trained! While I have yet to become certified, I feel I can support this modality completely. The training process required me to experience the interventions. In triads, we (therapists) had to tread cautiously. I would love to give you some insight into this model, and provide empirical evidence for its efficacy, as well as specific interventions involved. I may even throw in a sample case study.

According to the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA), as of 2021, there are approximately 27,000 EMDR-trained therapists worldwide, with over 20,000 of them located in the United States. EMDRIA is the main professional organization for EMDR practitioners and trainers, and it maintains a directory of EMDR-certified therapists. To be listed in the directory, therapists must meet certain criteria, including completing an EMDRIA-approved EMDR training program and meeting continuing education requirements.

It is important to note that EMDR is not a standalone treatment, and practitioners should be trained in a range of therapy approaches in addition to EMDR. It is also important to find a qualified and experienced therapist who is a good fit for your needs and goals. You can use the EMDRIA directory or other resources to locate a qualified EMDR therapist in your area.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapeutic approach that has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of psychological issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. EMDR involves the use of bilateral eye movements, sounds, or taps to help patients process and make sense of distressing memories and experiences. (Shapiro, F. (1989). Efficacy of the eye movement desensitization procedure in the treatment of traumatic memories. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 2(2), 199-223.)

EMDR was developed in the 1980s by psychologist francine Shapiro, and has since been extensively researched and found to be effective in numerous studies. One meta-analysis of 23 randomized controlled trials found that EMDR was more effective than other forms of therapy or no treatment in reducing symptoms of PTSD. (Shapiro, F., & Forrest, M. S. (1997). EMDR: The breakthrough "eye movement" therapy for overcoming anxiety, stress, and trauma. New York: BasicBooks.)

Another meta-analysis of 17 randomized controlled trials found that EMDR was effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression in adults. (van den Hout, M., Engelhard, I. M., Arntz, A., & Sijbrandij, M. (2016). EMDR Therapy for Anxiety Disorders: A Meta-Analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 47, 15-24.)

One mechanism by which EMDR may be effective is by helping patients to process and integrate traumatic memories into their overall life story. Traumatic memories can often be stored in an unprocessed form in the brain, leading to a range of symptoms such as flashbacks, avoidance behaviors, and negative beliefs about oneself and the world. By using the bilateral stimulation of EMDR, these memories can be accessed and processed in a more adaptive way, leading to a reduction in symptoms. (Bisson, J. I., & Andrew, M. (2007). Psychological treatments for chronic post-traumatic stress disorder. The Cochrane Library, 2.)

EMDR has also been found to be effective in treating other types of psychological issues, including phobias, grief, and substance abuse. In addition, it has been found to be effective in treating a range of populations, including children and military personnel. (Shapiro, F., & Maxfield, L. (2002). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) treatment for psychologically traumatized individuals. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 58(11), 1071-1089.)

While the exact mechanism by which EMDR is effective is not fully understood, it is thought to involve changes in brain functioning. Neuroimaging studies have found that EMDR leads to changes in brain activity in areas involved in emotion regulation and memory processing. (Lee, C. W., & Cuijpers, P. (2013). A meta-analysis of the contribution of eye movements in processing emotional memories. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 44(2), 231-239.) In training, we reflected on the concept of REM sleep and the similar dynamics at play.

Overall, the empirical evidence supports the effectiveness of EMDR in treating a range of psychological issues. It is a well-established and widely accepted treatment approach that has been found to be effective in numerous studies. While further research is needed to fully understand how EMDR works, it is a valuable tool in the treatment of psychological issues and can be a valuable addition to an overall treatment plan.

Here are some common EMDR-based interventions:

• Bilateral eye movements: This involves the therapist guiding the patient's eye movements back and forth while the patient focuses on a distressing memory or experience.
• Bilateral sounds: This involves the patient listening to alternating sounds through headphones while focusing on a distressing memory or experience.
• Bilateral taps: This involves the therapist tapping the patient's hands or knees alternatively while the patient focuses on a distressing memory or experience.
• Body scan: This involves the patient lying down and focusing on the sensation of their body while the therapist guides them through a relaxation exercise.
• Cognitive interweaves: This involves the therapist interrupting the processing of a distressing memory or experience to address any negative beliefs or thought patterns that may be present.
• Resource development and installation: This involves the therapist helping the patient identify and develop internal or external resources that can be used to cope with distress, and then "installing" these resources into the patient's memory to be accessed in times of need.
• Trauma-specific protocols: These are structured sequences of interventions that are specific to addressing certain types of trauma, such as complex trauma or sexual abuse.

Case Study "Alice"

One case study of EMDR involved a woman named "Alice," who was referred for treatment due to symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) stemming from a car accident she had experienced a few years prior. Alice had experienced significant injuries in the accident, including a broken leg, and had undergone several surgeries as a result. She reported experiencing flashbacks, avoidance behaviors, and difficulty sleeping as a result of the accident.

Alice began treatment with a therapist trained in EMDR, and after a thorough assessment, it was determined that EMDR would be a useful intervention for her. During the first few sessions, the therapist and Alice worked on developing a comprehensive treatment plan and establishing a sense of safety and trust in the therapy process.

Once these foundations were established, the therapist began using EMDR to address the distressing memories and experiences related to the car accident. This involved using bilateral eye movements, sounds, or taps to help Alice process and make sense of the traumatic event. The therapist also used cognitive interweaves to address any negative beliefs or thought patterns that Alice had about herself or the world as a result of the accident.

As treatment progressed, Alice reported a significant reduction in her symptoms of PTSD, including a decrease in flashbacks and avoidance behaviors, and an improvement in her sleep. She also reported an overall sense of increased well-being and a greater sense of control over her life.

It is important to note that EMDR is a comprehensive treatment approach and these interventions are not always used in every session. The specific interventions used will depend on the individual needs and goals of the patient.

It is also always important to work with a qualified and experienced therapist who is a good fit for your needs and goals. They can help you understand the potential benefits and risks of EMDR and other interventions, and help you develop a treatment plan that is tailored to your specific needs.

If you decide to explore further let me know! I would love to connect and chat. 

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Geries Shaheen is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Nationally Certified Counselor operating in and around St. Louis Missouri. Geries holds his MA in Professional Counseling from Lindenwood University, BA in Intercultural Studies from Lincoln Christian University, and holds a certificate in Life Coaching, Geries provides life coaching services to clients online globally. Geries is EMDR/ DBT trained, and practices from a TIC lens.