A Quick Guide To Eye Movement Desensitization And Reprocessing (EMDR)

 

EMDR is a structured therapy in which the patient is encouraged to briefly concentrate on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral activation (typically eye movements), which is related to the amount of vividness and emotion caused by the trauma memories.

Here’s a quick guide that will explain everything related to EMDR therapy in detail:

An introduction to EMDR

The Adaptive Information Processing model guided the development of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in 1987 for the diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Individual therapy, such as EMDR, is normally supplied one to two times per week for a total of 6-12 sessions, though some people will benefit from fewer meetings. Meetings can take place on days in a row. PTSD as well as other disorders are symptoms of past troubling experiences that continue to cause anguish because the memory was not sufficiently processed. These unrefined memories are thought to contain the emotional responses, thoughts, belief systems, and physical sensations experienced during the event.

Using EMDR to Treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

EMDR therapy PTSD employs an eight-phase structured approach, which includes:

Phase 1: Gathering Information

Phase 2: Getting the client ready

Phase 3: Evaluation of the target memory

Phases 4–7: Recollection processing to an adaptive resolution

Phase 8: Analyzing treatment outcomes

In most cases, processing a vivid recollection takes one to three sessions. EMDR therapy differs from other trauma-focused therapies in that it does not involve prolonged exposure to the distressing memory, detailed explanations of the trauma, demanding maladaptive cognitions, or homework assignments.

The EMDR History-Taking and Treatment Planning Phases

In addition to taking a complete history and undertaking appropriate assessments, the therapist and the client collaborate to identify treatment targets. Memories, existing triggers, and long term goals are all examples of targets.

Preparation

The therapist explains the treatment and presents the client to the procedures, including practising eye movement.

Desensitization

During this stage, the client concentrates on the memory while performing eye movements or other BLS. The client then reports on any new ideas that have emerged. Using standardised procedures, the therapist helps determine the focus of each set of BLS.

Installation

Installation is the next phase of EMDR, and it enhances the preferred positive cognition.

Body Scanner

The body scan is the sixth phase of EMDR, in which clients are asked to notice their physical response while thinking about the incident and the positive cognition and to identify any residual somatic distress.

Closure

The closure is used to bring the session to a close. If the targeted memory was not fully processed during the session, explicit directions and methods are used to keep it contained and safe until the next session.

Re-evaluation

The next session begins with phase seven, re-evaluation, in which the therapist assesses the patient’s physical psychological state, whether treatments have been maintained, what remembrances may have emerged since the previous session, and collaborates with the client to hit individuals for the current session.

For more information please visit; https://www.kensingtonpsychology.com.au