Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based therapy proven to treat trauma. Since development in the 1980’s, EMDR has also been applied to other issues including, but not limited to, panic attacks and addiction.

Trauma is part of life, whether it be forgetting to turn in important homework in school or being involved in an accident. EMDR posits that when a traumatic incident occurs, the person is not in the state of mind to adequately process the event. The memory stays with the person and impacts them throughout their life. EMDR practitioners believe that the ‘past is present’. For example, a 40-year-old person could have a problematic history with forging a meaningful romantic relationship. During therapy the patient realizes that being stood up for a date in high school has impacted them for decades. When the person is confronted with dating, the negative beliefs, thoughts, and physical sensations that were part of the memory get triggered in the present.

Bilateral stimulation (BLS), which is watching the therapist’s fingers move side to side, is a hallmark of EMDR. Dual attention is created when the patient is asked to watch the fingers while simultaneously thinking about the memory. This facilitates calm feelings in the patient along with encouraging adaptive thoughts regarding the event. Memories become less disturbing and new perspectives regarding the event emerge which allows the patient to have new insights. The event is then restored with the new adaptive, healthy perspective causing a transformative shift in their perception of themselves or the event.

Two aspects of EMDR set it apart from other therapies. First, the use of bilateral stimulation facilitates quick positive improvement. Second, EMDR is not talk therapy. While the therapist needs to understand the situation, detail is not necessary, thereby preventing retraumatizing the patient by requiring them to relive it.

EMDR is a comprehensive therapy as it uses a three-pronged approach to address the past, present, and future. The past memory is reprocessed to alleviate any triggers in the present. Then future templates can be developed to address upcoming challenges. The patient is successfully liberated from the past, not triggered in the present, and has a new skill set to apply in the future.

EMDR should be done by a trained professional who teaches coping skills prior to doing any processing of a memory and is able to safely address disturbing issues from the trauma.

Christine Alcantara, LMSW, CAADC helps her clients reach their desired potential by promoting overall wellness and optimal mental health through an integrative evidence-based approach utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma focused therapy, and EMDR. She can be reached at 313.549.9216.