Going through therapy offers many of us the opportunity to embark on an inner journey. Talking with a therapist, sharing and understanding emotional burdens can provide a foundation for personal growth and transformation. Therapy provides individuals with the opportunity to develop skills to more effectively manage emotional difficulties, change negative thought patterns, and build healthier relationships. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) treatment is an effective therapy method, especially for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and similar conditions. This treatment involves a process of manipulating eye movements and helps the person cope with challenging memories. EMDR supports the person in confronting their traumatic experiences and processing these experiences in a healthier way.
What is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing It is a therapy method. EMDR in English Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing It is expressed as and is a therapy method consisting of the initials of these words. It was developed by psychotherapist Francine Shapiro in 1987. EMDR is used to relieve emotional distress caused by traumatic memories and to prevent these memories from negatively impacting a person’s life. EMDR aims to accelerate the process of reprocessing a person’s emotions and thoughts related to a traumatic memory.
How is the EMDR method applied?
EMDR therapy consists of two stages. The first stage is the evaluation stage. In this stage, the therapist identifies the person’s traumatic memories and the emotional distress resulting from these memories. The therapist talks with the person about the traumatic memory and reveals their feelings, thoughts and body sensations related to this memory. This stage can also be considered as the introduction stage. During this process, the therapist talks with the client to find key traumatic moments to use in EMDR treatment.
After the basic traumatic memories are found, the second stage begins. At this stage, basic memories are processed. Because the brain erases traumatic moments, the client may not fully remember these traumatic moments. EMDR comes into play at this point. At this stage, the therapist uses stimuli such as eye movements, touch or sound to help the person remember the traumatic memory and begins the process of reprocessing the feelings and thoughts related to this memory. Different movements are used in EMDR therapy:
- eye movements
- Do not touch
- Sound
EMDR with eye movements is the most commonly used EMDR method. In this method, the therapist makes the person’s eyes move left and right, up and down or in a circular manner. The therapist makes eye movements slowly and rhythmically. EMDR with touch is similar to EMDR with eye movements. In this method, the therapist gently holds the person’s hands or wrists and moves them rhythmically. EMDR with sound is similar to EMDR with eye movements and touch. In this method, the therapist delivers rhythmic sounds to the person’s ears.
Does EMDR work?
EMDR therapy is a safe and effective therapy method. However, EMDR therapy may not be suitable for every person. It is important to meet with the therapist before EMDR therapy and evaluate whether the therapy is suitable for you. During EMDR therapy, the person repeatedly remembers the feelings, thoughts and sensations in the body related to the traumatic memory. During this process, the person may experience emotional changes. For example, the person may feel less emotionally distressed or develop different thoughts about the traumatic memory.
EMDR therapy is an effective method to relieve emotional distress caused by traumatic memories and improve a person’s quality of life. EMDR therapy helps the person get rid of these memories by accelerating the process of reprocessing the feelings and thoughts related to the traumatic memory.
To whom is EMDR applied?
EMDR treatment is an effective therapy method, especially for individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and similar conditions. However, EMDR can be used not only for the treatment of PTSD but also for individuals who want to cope with various emotional difficulties. Situations where EMDR can be applied:
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): EMDR is an effective therapy method for individuals who have been exposed to traumatic events and experienced the effects of these events, especially for the treatment of PTSD. These traumatic events can include a variety of situations such as accidents, natural disasters, violence, sexual assault, or war.
- Anxiety Disorders: EMDR can also be used in individuals suffering from anxiety disorders such as general anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder or panic attacks. These situations include situations where EMDR may be potentially useful for dealing with life stress, anxiety, and fears.
- Depression: EMDR can be used for individuals with symptoms of depression. It can be used especially to alleviate the effects of traumatic experiences on depression and to support emotional recovery.
- Phobias and Fears: EMDR can also be used with individuals who want to deal with specific phobias or fears. Eye movements can be guided during the therapy process to understand the origins of fears and alleviate these fears.
- Performance Anxiety: EMDR can be used for individuals experiencing performance anxiety to relieve concerns, especially those related to work or school performance.
To whom is EMDR not applied?
EMDR therapy is generally a safe and effective therapy method. However, in some cases, EMDR therapy is not applied. People who do not receive EMDR therapy include:
- People with serious mental health problems such as psychosis or schizophrenia
- People who prefer to use self-help methods to cope with traumatic memories
- People who are not ready for therapy
For people with serious mental health problems, such as psychosis or schizophrenia, EMDR therapy may make these problems worse. For this reason, EMDR therapy is not applied to these people. For people who prefer to use self-help methods to cope with traumatic memories, EMDR therapy may make it difficult for these people to use self-help methods. For this reason, EMDR therapy is not applied to these people. For people who are not ready for therapy, EMDR therapy may not help the person cope with traumatic memories. For this reason, EMDR therapy is not applied to these people.
Are there any harms to EMDR therapy?
EMDR therapy is generally a safe and effective therapy method. However, like any therapy method, EMDR therapy may have some side effects. Side effects of EMDR therapy include:
- Short-term emotional distress: During EMDR therapy, the person repeatedly remembers the feelings, thoughts and sensations in the body related to the traumatic memory. During this process, the person may experience emotional changes. For example, the person may feel more emotionally distressed, become angry, cry, or have a panic attack. These emotional distress are usually short-lived and subside after therapy.
- Memory loss: EMDR therapy can improve a person’s memory of a traumatic memory. However, in some cases, EMDR therapy can cause memory loss related to a person’s traumatic memory. This memory loss is usually temporary and memory returns after therapy.
To reduce the risk of side effects of EMDR therapy, it is important to meet with the therapist before EMDR therapy and evaluate whether the therapy is suitable for you. It is also important to stay in close communication with the therapist and follow the therapist’s directions during EMDR therapy.
How many minutes does an EMDR session last?
An EMDR session usually lasts 40-90 minutes. However, the session duration may vary depending on the person’s condition. The first session(s) are usually considered an evaluation session. In this session, the therapist identifies the person’s traumatic memories and the emotional distress resulting from these memories. Subsequent sessions are considered correction sessions. In these sessions, the therapist begins the process of reprocessing the person’s feelings and thoughts about the traumatic memory using stimuli such as eye movements, touch, or sound. Depending on the number and complexity of traumatic memories, EMDR therapy usually takes 8-12 sessions. However, in some cases, therapy may need to last longer.
How many sessions does EMDR take to have an effect?
The number of sessions in which EMDR therapy will be effective may vary depending on the person’s condition. In general, EMDR therapy takes 8-12 sessions. However, in some cases, therapy may need to last longer. In order for EMDR therapy to be effective, it is important for the person to remember the feelings, thoughts and sensations in the body related to the traumatic memory and to confront these memories. During this process, the person may experience emotional changes. For example, the person may feel less emotionally distressed or develop different thoughts about the traumatic memory. The effect of EMDR therapy may vary depending on the following factors:
- Severity and complexity of the traumatic memory: The more severe and complex the traumatic memory, the longer it may take for therapy to work.
- Other methods a person uses to cope with a traumatic memory: The longer a person uses self-help methods to cope with their traumatic memory, the longer it may take for EMDR therapy to work.
- The person’s compliance with therapy: If the person is willing and compliant with therapy, the faster the effect of EMDR therapy can be.