Why Try EMDR Therapy?
Not all counselling is same. Some people think of counselling and assume they'll be talking through their problems with someone that will coach them and give them skills to feel better.
But what about when this doesn't work?
If you've tried counselling before and are ready for something that has the potential to give you deeper relief, you may want to consider EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy.
What is EMDR?
EMDR therapy is a process that uses bilateral stimulation (which means activating the left and right sides of your body). This is either done through eye movements where your therapist will guide you to follow their hand or an object left to right and back again numerous times, through having you hold buzzers or tapping the left and right sides of your body, or through putting on headphones and listening to sounds that go into the left and then right side of your headphones.
This may feel a bit odd or different, but it works! The theory is that these movements help your brain unfreeze and reprocess memory, emotion, or body sensation that is stuck or overwhelming through allowing them to move into long term memory storage.
Another theory is that EMDR therapy helps your brain simulate what happens during REM sleep at night where your brain processes through and does a lot of clean up work around memories and experiences that you have had.
Why Would you Want to Try it?
EMDR Therapy requires very little talking.
For some individuals this can be a huge relief, when the thought of talking through all of their experiences feels like a barrier to even entering into counselling.
Teens often prefer not having the pressure of having to make conversation with a therapist, and knowing that what they're doing is evidence-based feels good.
EMDR Therapy Is Evidence based
This means that is has numerous studies that back its efficacy and show that it works, through many clinical trials.
There is more than 30 clinical trials backing up its effectiveness (1). It has been shown to reduce trauma symptoms, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, stress, panic, grief, and PTSD.
EMDR therapy can produce quicker results than talk therapy. Typically relief can be experienced within 3-12 sessions. There is no need to go to all the details of what happened to you, rather your counsellor will guide you to through a process to help identity what needs to be worked with, and then your brain gets to do the rest of the work.
What are the Negative Side Effects of EMDR Therapy?
Some individuals may experience increased emotions after session and feel more sensitive than usual. You can also experience vivid dreams, brain fog, tiredness, temporary anxiety, body sensations, or headaches. These symptoms should be temporary and often fade by the next day. If they don't, bring these symptoms up to your counsellor and they should take this feedback and soften or slow down the process to help reduce these side effects.
Will I have to Relive my Trauma?
No, you will not. Effective EMDR therapy will not re-traumatize you or make you feel like you're relieving what you've already been through. If it is feeling too intense, your counsellor may slow the process down and work on ways to help stabilize you.
There are also ways that they will instruct you to view the past memory that help create some space from it without it feeling like it's happening all over again. An example is to imagine viewing the memory as if you're seeing it on a train passing by you, or to see it in black and white instead of colour.
Ready to get started or have more questions?
Feel free to to either set up a free 15 minute consultation or book an appointment to get started.
References
de Jongh, A., de Roos, C., & El-Leithy, S. (2024). State of the science: Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 37(2), 205–216. doi.org
