What to expect in EMDR Therapy
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a therapeutic approach used to process and resolve distressing memories and traumatic experiences. EMDR can be a bit confusing to understand, so let’s take a look at the different phases. EMDR involves eight phases:
History Taking: In this phase, the therapist gathers information about the client's personal history and identifies specific memories and events to target during EMDR.
Preparation: The therapist and client work together to ensure the client can self-soothe. EMDR itself can be distressing, so it’s important that the client and therapist map out coping strategies and supports as well as relaxation techniques. This phase aims to ensure the client feels safe and ready to engage in the process.
Assessment: The therapist and client work together to identify the target memory or traumatic event that will be the focus of the EMDR session. The client and therapist explore the thoughts, emotions, negative beliefs and sensations associated with the memory. They may also map out other memories relating to the target event for further processing.
Desensitization: The client focuses on the target memory while therapist guides the client through bilateral stimulation, which can involve eye movements, taps, or auditory tones. This process helps to reduce the emotional distress associated with the memory.
Installation: The therapist helps the client strengthen positive beliefs or insights that emerge during the desensitization phase. These positive beliefs replace the negative beliefs previously associated with the target memory.
Body Scan: The therapist guides the client in scanning the body to identify any residual distress. This phase aims to release any remaining tension associated with the memory or indicates to the therapist there other aspects to the target need attention.
Closure: At the end of the session, the therapist ensures the client feels emotionally grounded before concluding the session. This phase helps clients transition back to their everyday life and reinforces their relaxation strategies.
Reevaluation: In subsequent sessions, the therapist and client review the progress made and determine additional targets need to be addressed. The reevaluation phase allows for ongoing processing of unresolved memories.
The experience of each phase can vary for different individuals, and the intensity of emotions may fluctuate throughout the process. You may also experience more than one phase of EMDR during a session, while certain phases like history taking, can span across multiple sessions.
For more detailed information on the eight phases of EMDR, you can refer to the following sources:
These sources provide comprehensive explanations of the EMDR process and can offer further insights into the therapy.
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