What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR or Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing is a type of psychotherapy developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1987. Although this therapy is known for and named after the eye movements integrated into the model, that is only one of many types of stimulation used and one piece that forms this complex approach. The main goal of this approach is to aid clients in transforming negative life experiences into adaptive experiences. In addition, it helps clients learn from the past, desensitize present triggers, reprocess and store memories in a way that eliminates distress. Thus, improving resilience for future challenges.
EMDR Origins
In 1987, Francine Shapiro made an unexpected discovery. She noticed that when she experienced distressing thoughts, they seemed to fade away without any conscious effort on her part. Intrigued by this, she began paying closer attention to these moments and realized that her eyes were moving rapidly from side to side. Further investigation revealed that this eye movement played a key role in alleviating her distress. This observation led her to develop what is now known as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). A core principle of EMDR is that our bodies have a built-in physiological system capable of processing information, guiding us toward mental well-being. Over time, Shapiro learned that other forms of bilateral stimulation—such as auditory tones and tactile sensations—could also activate this information-processing system, offering additional therapeutic options.
AIP Theory
Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) Theory is the name given to the hypothesis about the brain’s innate ability to process information. For example, if something negative happened to you like public humiliation, it may initially cause distress. Naturally, you might think about it or talk with others about it until it no longer distresses you. This experience then may be used to help inform your future behaviours. However, this looks a little different when trauma is involved. When we experience trauma, our body’s natural survival system turns on and many physiological changes occur. This includes an inability for our information processing system to function optimally (which is helpful in moments of danger, but not ideal for long-term processing). Therefore, the information of that traumatic event including images, sounds, emotions, and physical sensations can become “stuck” in your brain and become highly sensitive to triggers, both internal or external. According to the AIP hypothesis, bilateral stimulation helps reactivate the brain’s information-processing system, allowing it to process and integrate the traumatic memories more effectively.
A quote from Shapiro’s book (2017) that demonstrates the idea that physically and mentally our bodies possess natural abilities for healing:
“Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model is the concept of psychological self-healing, a construct based on the body’s healing response to physical injury. For instance, when you cut your hand, your body works to close and heal the wound. If something blocks the healing, such as a foreign object or repeated trauma, the wound will fester and cause pain. If the block is removed, healing will resume. A similar sequence of events seems to occur with mental processes; that is, the natural tendency of the brain’s information-processing system is to move toward a state of mental health. However, if the system is blocked or becomes imbalanced by the impact of a trauma, maladaptive responses are observed. These responses may be triggered by present stimuli or perhaps by the attempt of the information-processing mechanism to resolve the material. […] We can think of the processing mechanism as “digesting” or “metabolizing” the information so that it can be used in a healthy, life-enhancing manner.”
3 Prong Protocol
When events in our life have been processed adequately, we can remember these events, but we aren’t controlled by the emotions or sensations associated with that event. In EMDR therapy, you and your therapist will work together to identify past events in your life that were stored maladaptively or that are “stuck”, impacting or causing your present-day perceptions or challenges.
You and your EMDR therapist will explore:
- Past: memories that cause present challenges.
- Present: current life stressors, problems, symptoms and triggers.
- Future: preparing to better respond to future challenges.
8 Phase Model
The number of sessions devoted to each phase and the number of phases included in each session vary greatly from client to client. Here’s a glimpse of what the 8 Phase Model looks like:
- History: explore client history, assess for readiness factors, develop therapeutic trust, create treatment plan, make connections between past and present, and create target/memory map.
- Preparation: further education on EMDR theory, process and effects, choosing type of bilateral stimulation, assessing and teaching emotion regulation tools, ensuring stable life environment, and resource development.
Phases 3-8 are repeated for each individual “memory target”. The amount of memory targets needed to be reprocessed varies for each client. Reprocessing a single memory can take anywhere from 1-6 sessions.
- Assessment: For each memory an image, negative cognition, positive cognition, validity of cognition, emotions, distress unit, and bodily sensations are assessed.
- Desensitization: while the memory is kept in mind, sets of bilateral stimulation are administered. The therapist will check-in on your observations after each set.
- Installation: Assessing the fit of the pre-determined positive cognition and strengthening with more sets of bilateral stimulation.
- Body Scan: Identifying any residual physical sensations. Processing is only complete when the body feels it is clear of negative sensations associated with the memory.
- Closure: returning to a state of emotional equilibrium by the end of each session, regardless of if the reprocessing is complete for that memory. Preparing client expectations for in between sessions.
- Re-evaluation: assessment at the beginning of each new session to determine if progress has been maintained and determine if further reprocessing is needed.
Treatment Uses
The list of difficulties or diagnoses that EMDR can be used for is long and continually evolving. With more research, we can create unique protocols to best suit various challenges. Here are a few concerns it is known to help treat:
- PTSD and populations suffering from war trauma
- Anxiety disorders, panic disorders and phobias
- Grief and loss
- Trauma from natural disasters
- Sexual assault
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Medical trauma
- Somatic disorders or chronic pain
- Depression
- Childhood neglect, abuse or complex PTSD
- Low self-esteem or confidence
- Motor vehicle accidents
If you’re looking for an EMDR therapist, please visit the emdria directory to find a list of qualified therapists in your area.
Kendra on our team is a Certified EMDRIA Therapist.
