EMDR Therapy for Trauma, PTSD, Anxiety, and Panic
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) can be an effective trauma therapy, a way to move past a stressful event. Here’s how to decide if it’s right for you.
“The world breaks every one and afterward many are strong at the broken places”
- Ernest Hemingway
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a trauma therapy developed by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro. She made the chance observation that eye movements can reduce the intensity of disturbing thoughts. While she walked through a park one day, she noted her own stress reactions diminished as her eyes swept back and forth.
EMDR therapy involves recalling a stressful past event and “reprogramming” the memory in the light of a new, positive belief, using rapid eye movements to facilitate the process. Theories as to why EMDR works are still evolving, but many people have found EMDR to be extremely beneficial.
EMDR incorporates elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with bilateral eye movements or other forms of rhythmic, left-right stimulation. One of the key elements of EMDR is “dual stimulation.” During EMDR treatment, you are asked to think or talk about memories, triggers, and painful emotions related to your trauma or other condition. At the same time, you focus on your therapist’s finger with your eyes as it moves back and forth across your field of vision.
Instead of the therapist’s finger, other forms of external stimuli may also be used in EMDR therapy. These can include tactile sensations, such as alternating hand taps, or sounds, such as a chime that moves back and forth from ear to ear.
Benefits of EMDR
Based on the encouraging results of these studies, the American Psychological Association and the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies have approved EMDR as a valid therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder.
EMDR has also been reported to have a positive effect on other conditions, including eating disorders, severe stress, unipolar depression, and anxiety disorders such as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), panic disorder, and phobias.
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​EMDR does not require you to go into detail about the traumatic events of the past. Unlike many “talk” therapies, the trauma isn’t analyzed for long periods of time.
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EMDR simultaneously works on your mind, body, and emotions. This may account for its success in taking intellectual understanding of the origins of a problem (e.g. “I know I have guilt over killing in the war”) to a resolution where post-traumatic symptoms clear up.
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The trauma that must be re-experienced during treatment is relatively short-lived. The reprocessing occurs at the same time as the memory recall.​
EMDR may not be right for everyone
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EMDR was created for use as a trauma therapy and as such focuses on intensely stressful subjects.
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Pregnant women, or those with heart conditions, eye problems, or other health issues should consult their doctor before beginning EMDR therapy.
References
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Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders. (2013) In Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. American Psychiatric Association. Link
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Baas, M. A. M., Stramrood, C. A. I., Dijksman, L. M., de Jongh, A., & van Pampus, M. G. (2017). The OptiMUM-study: EMDR therapy in pregnant women with posttraumatic stress disorder after previous childbirth and pregnant women with fear of childbirth: design of a multicentre randomized controlled trial. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 8(1), 1293315.
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EMDR Certification—EMDR International Association. (n.d.). Retrieved January 10, 2022, from
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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy. (n.d.). Retrieved January 10, 2022, from
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Haour, F., Dobbelaere, E., & de Beaurepaire, C. (2019). Scientific Evaluation of EMDR Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Psychological Trauma Summary: Scientific evaluation of EMDR psychotherapy. Journal of Neurology & Neuromedicine, 4(2), 5–14.
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Kutz, I., Resnik, V., & Dekel, R. (2008). The Effect of Single-Session Modified EMDR on Acute Stress Syndromes. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 2(3), 190–200.
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Landin-Romero, R., Moreno-Alcazar, A., Pagani, M., & Amann, B. L. (2018). How Does Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy Work? A Systematic Review on Suggested Mechanisms of Action. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 1395.
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Matthijssen, S. J. M. A., Lee, C. W., de Roos, C., Barron, I. G., Jarero, I., Shapiro, E., Hurley, E. C., Schubert, S. J., Baptist, J., Amann, B. L., Moreno-Alcázar, A., Tesarz, J., & de Jongh, A. (2020). The Current Status of EMDR Therapy, Specific Target Areas, and Goals for the Future. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 14(4), 241–284.
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Puffer, M. K., Greenwald, R., & Elrod, D. E. (1998). A single session EMDR study with twenty traumatized children and adolescents. Traumatology, 3(2).
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Shapiro, F. (1989). Efficacy of the eye movement desensitization procedure in the treatment of traumatic memories. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 2(2), 199–223.
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