EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and
Reprocessing) is a technique that has been developed in recent
years to help people come to terms with overwhelming or
traumatic experiences. It has also been used to help people
deal with phobias and other anxieties. Its inventor is a
psychologist, Francine Shapiro, Ph.D.
People who have had traumatic or
overwhelming experiences sometimes tend to return to feelings,
images, sounds, and body sensations that they connect with
those experiences. For some people, there are times when they
seem to relive past situations and feelings with the intensity
they may have felt long ago. The experience of reliving past
events may even become intrusive into daily life or sleep. For
some people, it seems as if some experiences have become
"locked" in the nervous system in vivid and disturbing ways.
EMDR aims to "unlock" the nervous system so that the
brain can process the experiences and move on. The therapist
helps the patient to identify upsetting images, beliefs, body
sensations, and emotions that are connected with the
disturbing experiences, then leads the client through a eye
movement procedure that often helps the patient to begin
coming to terms with the experience in a new way. The eye
movement procedure seems to stimulate resources on both sides
of the brain that often facilitate emotional healing. The
patient remains in control of the process. Patient are also
asked to identify some positive beliefs about themselves that
they would like to have as a result of coming to terms with
the experience, and EMDR often helps patients to own these
EMDR is not like hypnosis in its
methods, and most patients who have experienced both will
report that it feels quite different from hypnosis. EMDR is a
technique that fits well into many kinds of psychotherapy, but
it is not designed to replace traditional therapy.
What happens during EMDR sessions?
movement procedure takes place over a number of sessions.
During the eye movement procedure, the patient is asked to
bring the disturbing or traumatic incident to mind, and then
is asked to track the therapist's fingers for a few seconds as
one hand is moved rapidly from side to side in front of the
patient's eyes. After pausing to discuss what has come up, the
therapist repeats the process a number of times until the
patient reaches a stage of having little or no discomfort
about the original incident. This may take a number of
sessions, especially if many disturbing incidents or feelings
have occurred, or have come to mind over the course of EMDR.
Clients should not assume that everything remembered
during EMDR is completely factual. Researchers and therapists
have long known that human memory is not like a video recorder
that plays back exactly what happened. Like any memory,
remembered traumatic experiences may be factual to the last
detail, or may mix fact and fantasy. Neither the therapist nor
anyone else can tell if a memory is factual unless there is
corroborative information available. Therefore, if you have
any questions about whether a memory is factual, you are
encouraged to do your own investigation and share your
findings with your therapist.
Sometimes people will
remember new incidents during EMDR that are previously unknown
to them, or they may remember new details about a well-known
memory. As stated above, these new memories should not be
assumed to be 100% factual, although they may be.
patient always has the ability to stop EMDR at any time, for
any reason. There are also times when it makes sense for the
therapist to put the procedure aside permanently or
temporarily and continue therapy as usual.
people, the eye movement procedure causes mild eye discomfort
or dizziness. If this happens, the therapist uses other
techniques that alternately stimulate both sides of the brain,
such as gently tapping on the backs of the patient's hands.
These alternative techniques seem to work as well as Shapiro's
original eye movement procedure.
It is common for
people to experience strong emotions during and after EMDR
sessions, so it is important for the patient to give the
therapist accurate information about what is happening at
these times. EMDR sessions should ideally be scheduled at
times when the patient will not be going into a highly
demanding situation right after the session. In addition, it
is important that the patient not leave the therapist's office
until s/he feels grounded and calm. Sometimes the patient will
want to remain in the waiting room for a few minutes in order
to make sure things feel settled before leaving. If upsetting
feelings or images come to mind in between sessions, patients
are asked to keep a log of this material to bring to the next
session. The therapist is available by telephone if necessary.
Is EMDR effective?
Over 15,000 clinicians
have been trained to use EMDR over the last ten years, and
a number of people are conducting research programs to see
is effective in dealing with various problems. So far, there
is convincing evidence of its effectiveness for treating Posttraumatic
Disorder (PTSD). Several
professional associations and government agencies have recognized
EMDR as an effective
treatment for PTSD, including the
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. In
addition, the Division of Clinical Psychology of the American
Psychological Association, the Northern Ireland Department
of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, the U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense, as well
as governmental agencies in the U.K., Israel, and the Netherlands.
Therapists have sometimes reported good results in using EMDR
dissociative disorders, and other problems, but there are no
controlled studies yet.
Are there potential risks
in using EMDR?
There are no documented cases of
harmful effects of EMDR. Like any treatment, it can be
misused. Clients should not try to do EMDR at home, nor should
they permit themselves to receive EMDR treatment from any
therapist who has not received training in the procedure.
Is EMDR an experimental treatment?
is closely related to other treatment approaches that are
widely used for treating people with a variety of diagnoses.
elements of many effective psychotherapies in structured
protocols that are designed to maximize treatment effects.
These include psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, interpersonal,
experiential, and body-centered therapies."
As noted earlier on this web page, many
professional organizations in the mental health field,
and several governmental bodies, have recognized EMDR
as a validated and effective treatment for PTSD. In
addition, a number of large managed care organizations
have also acknowledged that it is a validated approach
PTSD and will cover it within their members' psychotherapy
benefits. These MCO's include Aetna, CIGNA, Magellan,
and Value Options. You should check with your therapist
your insurance company if you have questions about
whether EMDR is a covered service.