Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) - Trauma Therapy
What is Trauma?
Trauma occurs when our ability to adapt to overwhelming circumstances is exceeded. This can happen during severe events such as torture, tragic loss, or a car accident, as noted by Servan-Schreiber (2005). However, trauma is not limited to extreme events; even less severe experiences can have lasting effects, especially if they occur during vulnerable periods such as childhood or times when we feel emotionally or physically powerless. During these times, the nervous system is still developing, and we may lack the resources or support needed to process and defend against these challenges.
Trauma is a deeply personal experience and is shaped by context. Factors such as cultural background, access to support, historical trauma, intergenerational trauma, and individual resilience all influence how trauma is experienced and processed. Recognizing these factors allows for a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of trauma and its impact on diverse individuals and communities.
About EMDR
Traumatic memory refers to information about a traumatic event that becomes locked in the nervous system in its original, unprocessed form. This may include images, thoughts, sounds, smells, emotions, physical sensations, and beliefs in their raw emotional state. These memories are stored in the emotional brain (limbic system) and are often disconnected from the rational brain (cortex), which is responsible for logical thinking. As a result, these raw memories remain unprocessed and can be triggered by stimuli such as a scent, a loud noise, or anxious thoughts.
EMDR therapy focuses on accessing these traumatic memories in all their components—visual, cognitive, emotional, and physical—to process them effectively. During the EMDR process, clients are guided to follow the therapist's hand with their eyes (moving back and forth) or engage in other forms of bilateral stimulation, such as hand-tapping, auditory tones, or knee-tapping. These methods help activate both hemispheres of the brain, facilitating the processing of traumatic memories.
The goal of EMDR therapy is to activate the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) system, the brain's natural healing mechanism. By inducing eye movements similar to those that occur during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, EMDR accelerates the brain's natural recovery process, helping the mind reprocess and resolve trauma. This technique supports the healing of trauma that may have previously overwhelmed or become stuck, aiding in faster emotional and psychological recovery.
Therapy process
The therapy process and procedures are according to Shapiro (2001) and follows an eight staged protocol,
further details of which can be found here.
For further information on an explanation of how EMDR works please see this very useful sheet
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