Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR) is a recall-based therapy, in which you recall a painful experience while your therapist stimulates, first the left, and then the right, side of your brain. This is done using eye movement, sounds, or taps to activate the left and right side of your brain. In session you choose a memory you want to work with, recall the memory, and while you are recalling the memory you follow the therapist’s finger as they move it back and forth. EMDR is based on the understanding that this process activates the brain’s ability to process emotion, integrate the memory and heal.
Heal from Trauma with EMDR Therapy: A Path to Recovery
At The Story Isn’t Over, we understand how the weight of traumatic memories can hold you back from the life you want to live. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a powerful, evidence-based approach designed to help you process those memories, heal from emotional wounds, and move forward. Whether you’re grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or other challenges, EMDR could be the transformative therapy you’ve been searching for.
What Is EMDR?
EMDR therapy is a specialized form of psychotherapy that helps you process and heal from distressing memories and experiences. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR doesn’t require you to relive or describe your trauma in great detail. Instead, it combines guided recall of traumatic memories with specific eye movements or other sensory techniques. This method reprocesses how your brain stores traumatic events, enabling you to regain control over your thoughts and emotions.
Developed in 1989 by Dr. Francine Shapiro, EMDR has since gained recognition worldwide for its effectiveness, especially in treating trauma-related conditions.
How Does EMDR Work?
EMDR is rooted in the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, which suggests that your brain processes and stores memories differently depending on the nature of the experience:
- Normal memories: These are stored smoothly, connected to other thoughts, and integrated into your life story.
- Traumatic memories: These are stored in isolation, often disconnected from language and logical processing. They can resurface through triggers, causing distress, anxiety, or fear.
EMDR helps “unlock” these improperly stored memories and reintegrate them into your cognitive framework, reducing their emotional intensity and influence over your life. The therapy uses sensory stimulation, like guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones, to facilitate this healing process.
The Eight Phases of EMDR
EMDR is a structured process that unfolds over several sessions. At The Story Isn’t Over, our trained therapists guide you through these eight phases:
- History and Information Gathering
Together, we’ll explore your history, identify troubling memories, and set goals for therapy. - Preparation and Education
We’ll equip you with tools to manage emotions during and between sessions, ensuring you feel safe and supported. - Assessment
This phase identifies the specific negative beliefs tied to your trauma and replaces them with positive, empowering beliefs. - Desensitization and Reprocessing
Using eye movements or other techniques, we’ll guide you through recalling distressing memories, gradually reducing their emotional charge. - Installation
Focus shifts to reinforcing positive beliefs, helping you build a healthier narrative about yourself and your experiences. - Body Scan
We’ll check for lingering physical or emotional reactions to processed memories and work to resolve them. - Closure and Stabilization
At the end of each session, we ensure you feel calm and equipped with tools to manage any lingering emotions. - Reevaluation
Together, we’ll assess your progress and plan the next steps for continued healing.
What Can EMDR Treat?
While EMDR is most commonly associated with PTSD, it’s effective for a wide range of mental health conditions, including:
- Anxiety Disorders: Panic attacks, phobias, and social anxiety.
- Depression: Including major depressive disorder and illness-related depression.
- Trauma and PTSD: Acute stress, adjustment disorders, and complex trauma.
- Dissociative Disorders: Dissociative identity disorder or depersonalization.
- Eating Disorders: Anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Including hoarding and body dysmorphia.
- Anger Management: Helps reduce reactivity and aggressive behaviors.
The Benefits of EMDR
1. Faster Results:
EMDR often works more quickly than traditional therapies, with many clients experiencing significant relief in just a few sessions.
2. Minimal Homework:
Unlike other therapies that involve extensive journaling or assignments, EMDR requires little outside effort beyond noting thoughts or feelings between sessions.
3. Lower Emotional Stress:
You don’t need to relive the trauma in detail. EMDR focuses on resolving its emotional grip without overwhelming you.
4. Scientifically Proven:
EMDR is backed by decades of research and recognized by organizations like the World Health Organization and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a top treatment for PTSD.
Is EMDR Right for You?
EMDR is particularly effective if you:
- Struggle with the lingering effects of trauma or distressing memories.
- Feel stuck in patterns of anxiety, depression, or emotional reactivity.
- Want to address painful experiences without reliving them in detail.
What to Expect at The Story Isn’t Over
Our EMDR therapists create a safe, supportive space where you can work through your past at your own pace. With us, you’ll:
- Gain insight into how your trauma impacts your present.
- Learn practical tools to handle triggers and build resilience.
- Reclaim control over your emotions and life.
Each step of your EMDR journey is tailored to your unique needs, ensuring you feel understood, empowered, and supported throughout the process.
Take the Next Step Toward Healing
Trauma doesn’t have to define your life story. EMDR can help you reframe your narrative, reduce emotional pain, and find freedom from the past. At The Story Isn’t Over, we’re here to guide you toward healing and a brighter future.
Your story is still being written. Let us help you turn the page.
