When the Past is Present: An Introduction to EMDR Therapy
by Becca Young
Trauma is recognized as an individual’s response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event, which may overwhelm his or her ability to cope, cause feelings of helplessness, and diminish sense of self and the ability to feel a full range of emotions. Research shows that approximately 70% of people in the US will experience some type of traumatic event in their lifetime. Of this 70%, about 30% will go on to develop Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This may leave you wondering, why not all 70%? While the issue is too complex to identify a single cause, recent research suggests it has to do with the way we process and store memories.
Perhaps you have experienced what you’ve identified as a traumatic event in your life. Or maybe there isn’t one specific event that stands out, but you’ve experienced an amalgamation of adverse life experiences. The question is, to what extent do these events impact you and your sense of self today? How have these events shaped your current lived experience, and in what ways?
When we are able to process, or “make meaning,” from events, they are stored in what is known as an adaptive information system, where resiliency is fostered. This is a natural part of life and how we process it. For example, have you ever had a disagreement with someone one night and then woken up the next morning no longer feeling as emotionally activated by the altercation, or better able to identify the conclusion you came to regarding the interaction? This phenomenon is a result of the processing that happens during our REM sleep, when memories are stored into various adaptive networks.
The problem arises when the past becomes present, meaning that an event, or multiple events, get locked into place. While some events are stored adaptively through our brain’s natural processing mechanisms, others may become locked in the brain, with all the sensory information, feelings, thoughts, and sensations that were present at the time of the event.
The good news: these memories don’t have to stay stuck. Our brains are naturally geared toward health, healing, and resiliency. You have everything you need within yourself to begin your healing process. Additionally, a memory being stuck does not mean there is anything wrong with you or your processing systems. Our brains do their best to process, but when there is something that is too emotionally charged for this, we may need a bit of assistance, and that’s where Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing therapy (EMDR) comes in.
In EMDR, bilateral eye movements (similar to those that occur during REM sleep) have been shown to reduce and eliminate distress associated with traumatic experiences. This occurs through a three-pronged approach: (1) processing the past events which have laid the groundwork for dysfunction, (2) targeting current circumstances that elicit distress and desensitizing internal and external triggers, (3) incorporating imaginal templates of future events to assist in acquiring new skills for adaptive functioning. This past, present, and future approach to healing allows for emotional shifts in understanding and meaning of the event, as well as decreased emotional activation associated with present and future triggers.
According to the EMDR International Association, EMDR therapy has been proven to help children and adults of all ages. Therapists use EMDR therapy to address a wide range of challenges, including:
- Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias
- Chronic illness and medical issues
- Depression and bipolar disorders
- Dissociative disorders
- Eating disorders
- Grief and loss
- Pain
- Performance anxiety
- Personality disorders
- PTSD and other trauma- and stress-related issues
- Sexual assault
- Sleep disturbance
- Substance abuse and addiction
- Violence and abuse
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Is EMDR similar to hypnosis?
No, the client is fully conscious and alert in every session. There is also a stop signal the client may use at any time should he or she begin to feel overwhelmed when accessing the memory. - Am I in control when I am doing EMDR?
Yes, you have complete control of the session. A trusted professional will be guiding you through a process, and if, at any point in time, it begins to feel like too much, you may take a pause and your therapist will help you use a grounding technique to signal safety to the nervous system. - What if I don’t remember the traumatic event?
That is okay, and is actually somewhat typical with intense traumatic experiences. It is a protective function of the brain acting in its own best interest (survival). At the time of the event, this may have been helpful, necessary, and adaptive. Your therapist will work with you to access the event through activation of memory networks in a safe and controlled setting. - Do I have to talk about my trauma?
No. EMDR differs from traditional talk therapy, utilizing the experience of activating memory networks rather than verbal expression. This allows the left hemisphere of the brain to be active during processing, which is the portion of the brain that recognizes danger and, conversely, safety. In talk therapy, the left hemisphere of the brain is not typically active, which can cause a person to feel as if they are back in the moment, reliving the traumatic experience.
EMDR is evidence-based and proven to be highly effective. However, it is vital that EMDR be performed with a trusted clinician, not at home on yourself or with a friend. While clinical trials have shown the efficacy of EMDR, it may not be appropriate for everyone. Contact Becca Young with Clarity Counseling to learn more about individual therapy or to see if EMDR may be a good fit for you.
References
EMDR International Association. About EMDR Therapy. https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/
National Council for Mental Wellbeing. How to Manage Trauma. https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Trauma-infographic.pdf?daf=375ateTbd56
Shapiro, F. (2021). EMDR Therapy Basic Training Manual. EMDR Institute, Inc.
