EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
What Is EMDR and How Does It Work?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured psychotherapy that helps individuals heal from the emotional distress and symptoms caused by traumatic life experiences. Research indicates that EMDR therapy can provide the benefits of psychotherapy much faster than traditional methods, which often take years to show significant results.
When traumatic experiences are not processed, they can become “stuck” in the brain, resulting in various emotional and psychological challenges, including:
Anxiety
Depression
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
EMDR therapy addresses the ongoing trauma that patients experience by tapping into the brain’s natural ability to heal and process these events. It uses a three-pronged protocol:
The past events that contribute to dysfunction are processed, creating new associations with adaptive information.
Current situations that cause distress are targeted, helping to desensitize both internal and external triggers.
Imaginal templates of future scenarios are developed to assist clients in acquiring the skills necessary for adaptive functioning.
What Do EMDR Sessions Involve?
During an EMDR session, Dr. Ritenour guides the patient through a series of standardized procedures designed to stimulate bilateral brain activity. This bilateral stimulation is typically achieved through the side-to-side movement of the eyes. Although other methods—such as alternating sounds or taps—can also be used, eye movements are the most common technique employed. After each set of movements, the client briefly describes their experiences. At the end of each session, they should apply the techniques they learned to ensure they leave feeling in control and empowered.
Though each case is unique, there is a standard eight-phase approach that includes taking a complete history, preparing the patient, identifying targets and their components, actively processing the past, present, and future aspects, and ongoing evaluation.
At the conclusion of EMDR therapy, previously distressing memories and current situations should no longer pose a problem, and new healthy responses should become the standard.
