What is EMDR?
EMDR is a treatment method discovered in 1987 that is widely used and has been widely investigated treatment for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The American Psychiatric Association determined that EMDR is an effective treatment for trauma. The Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense place EMDR in the "A" category and say that it is "strongly recommended" for the treatment of trauma.

This process helps the client process painful memories and thoughts so that they can recall information without the pain. Future incidences of a similar nature also lose their ability to trigger discomfort.

"Trauma" can be big, one time incidents like witnessing a car accident, surviving combat, surviving sexual abuse, being a victim of a crime, or surviving an act of terror. Trauma can also be "little" things like being told you were stupid, dealing with an abusive boss, surviving a divorce, dealing with the pain of infidelity, or being bullied as a child.

The beneficial effects of EMDR are not limited to trauma survivors. EMDR can also be an effective tool for preparing clients for other types of therapy (such as group therapy due to social anxiety), dealing with anxiety, depression, substance abuse, phobia, panic, performance anxiety, and chronic pain.

FAQ about EMDR

How fast can I get results?

Two studies (Lee, Gavriel, Drummond, Richards, & Greenwald, 2002; Rothbaum, 1997) have indicated an elimination of diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 83-90% of civilian participants after four to seven sessions. Other studies using participants with PTSD (e.g. Ironson, Freund, Strauss, & Williams, 2002; Scheck, Schaeffer, & Gillette, 1998; S. A. Wilson, Becker, & Tinker, 1995) have found significant decreases in a wide range of symptoms after three-four sessions. The only study (Carlson, Chemtob, Rusnak, Hedlund, & Muraoka, 1998) of combat veterans to address the multiple traumas of this population reported that 12 sessions of treatment resulted in a 77% elimination of PTSD.

How long do treatment results last?

Studies suggest that treatment effects last longer if treatment is fully implemented. Partial or short term treatment may result in a loss of benefit over time.

How does it work?

We're not really sure how it works, but the theory is that disturbing memories are improperly stored in the brain. If the same type of disturbance is repeated, it can add to the imbalance and trigger a panic or stress response. This can lead to symptoms such as nightmares, exaggerated startle response, insomnia, re-experiencing the disturbing event, going through drastic measures to avoid re-experiencing the disturbing event, and nausea when being reminded of the event. EMDR allows the brain to properly store these memories in such a way that they do not trigger the unhealthy symptoms. You have all the memory of the event without the distress.

Click here to see a CBS news story on EMDR and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

What is the down side?

EMDR is not appropriate for everyone and every situation, so it may not be a therapy that works for you. It can cause a temporary increase in distress. New distressing memories may emerge. Processing may continue in between sessions that cause temporary increased distress.

What can I expect during a session?

Each person experiences it differently. Whatever comes up for you is what is normal for you. The protocol for the practitioner should not vary from person to person however. The treatment starts with a psychosocial interview. Then there is a preparation phase. Problems to work on and eliminate are targeted. They are processed in the past, present and future. The client thinks of the target while moving his/her eyes back and forth, getting tones in the ears, or feeling pulses on either side of the body. The client reports what is happening. That is repeated until the distressing event loses its power.

Does this really work?

This treatment protocol works so well that EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Programs was developed solely to bring relief to those who suffer from trauma. EMDR HAP has gone into hurricane ravaged Louisiana to provide assistance to first responders so that they could continue providing medical care, safety, and restoring law and order. EMDR HAP also trains local mental health workers in the use of EMDR so that the community is able to continue giving assistance after EMDR HAP is gone.

EMDR HAP started in 1995 with the Oklahoma City bombings and continues to provide assistance wherever it is needed.

Where can I get more information?

http://www.emdrnetwork.org/

http://www.emdr.com

http://www.emdrhap.org