EMDR: the psychological technique to treat traumatic experiences

EMDR (eye movement) therapy has a very specific purpose: to reduce the effect of traumatic experiences. We are undoubtedly facing a novel psychological model that attenuates the impact of negative emotions through bilateral stimulation, that is, through eye movement, certain sounds or with kinesthetic stimuli, such as tapping.

A treatment based on eye movement? It is very possible that more than one of our readers view this therapeutic approach with a mixture of curiosity, strangeness and a touch of skepticism.

However, when you delve deeper into his technique, you end up experiencing some interest. It should be said that It is a relatively new therapyand that despite not having caused the impact that was initially expected, More and more therapists are encouraged to use it.

The goal of EMDR is to process past experiences and resolve associated emotions. Negative thoughts and feelings that are no longer useful are replaced with positive thoughts and feelings to encourage healthier behavior.

History of EMDR therapy

It was developed in the 1980s by Francine Shapiro, a neurologist and cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist. The purpose of this doctor from the Mental Research Institute of Palo Alto, California, was to provide a specific technique for the treatment of post-traumatic stress.

In his opinion, there was no specific strategy that could help patients reduce the impact of trauma or the effect it has on the brain, behavior or way of relating.

Thus, Shapiro spent time researching the most avant-garde procedures to shape a clinical strategy that was as novel as it was controversial for many psychiatrists. However, as she herself points out: A single session is enough to assess its effect.

Objectives of EMDR therapy

The purpose of EMDR therapy or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing is multiple. On the one hand, it seeks to identify the specific problem that the patient suffers. From now on, The therapist trained in this series of techniques will help you process those traumatic experiences to reduce and resolve the emotions associated with those events.

Negative thoughts and feelings will be replaced by more integrative ones.. The goal, in essence, is to help each person manage their own internal realities much better in order to shape healthier behaviors.

Now, it should be said that EMDR therapy is not exclusively aimed at treating traumatic events (attacks, losses, effects of wars, etc.). In recent years it has shown notable effectiveness in various areas. They are the following:

Anxiety disordersPhobiasPanic attacksEating disordersAddictions

The EMDR technique therefore has a very clear purpose. Focus on each patient individually to find that healing mechanism inherent to each person through which to mediate their recovery. Not all cases are the same and not all react to the same techniques.

Thus, once the most appropriate strategy in each case is identified, A sensory stimulation system is established that allows the brain to process these adverse emotions and thoughts.. However, let’s take a closer look at how this technique is carried out.

What is EMDR therapy?

EMDR therapy can range from three sessions to a twelve-month treatment. It all depends on the incidence of the trauma, phobia or psychological disorder that the patient suffers from.

In additionsomething on which this type of approach is based is on the correct training of the therapist in this type of technique. Because we are not just talking about a person who moves their fingers so that the patient follows that movement with their eyes.

EMDR is based on more strategies, on more dynamics that require skill, intelligence and that intuition of the good professional who knows how to guide his patient to bring him to a true adaptive resolution. That therapeutic purpose where to reduce negative symptoms, favor a change in beliefs and, in turn, enable the person to be able to function better in their daily lives.

Phases of the intervention

Personal history and treatment planning. Preparation. The aim is to establish trust with the patient and explain to them what the treatment will consist of.Assessment. Negative emotions and feelings are identified. Desensitization ⇔ eye movement technique. Facility. Time when negative thoughts and emotions must be replaced with more integrative and positive ones. Body scan. We proceed to evaluate whether the patient can remember memories of the trauma without experiencing negative feelings.Closing the session and reevaluation.

Techniques used in treatment

EMDR actually borrows various models, approaches and techniques to build its treatment.. In its psychotherapeutic fabric it is integrated from cognitive, humanistic, behavioral and bioinformational processing psychology. Now, the most characteristic is undoubtedly bilateral stimulation, which focuses on different foci:

Visual: The therapist moves a finger in front of the patient so that the patient follows it with their eyes. These rapid eye movements are said to loosen “knots” in memory where adverse emotions are concentrated. There are those who theorize that this strategy imitates REM sleep (since this sleep cycle also allows us to “purify” daytime experiences and memories). Likewise, others speculate that alternating attention between left and right gaze brings the cerebral hemispheres into greater balance.Auditory: The therapist applies certain sounds to the patient’s ears to generate calm or a specific emotional state.Kinesthetic (tapping): In this case, the therapist gently taps the patient’s hands or shoulders. In this way, it also seeks to reduce tension and the impact of negative emotions.

A therapeutic alternative

To conclude, it is possible that this type of therapeutic intervention continues to attract our attention (and fuel some doubts). There are those who describe it as a pseudoscience, and there are also those who lack a little more clarity in its methodology.

However, if there is one thing we know, it is that It has great significance in the United States and, according to Dr. Shapiro herself, has already helped more than two million people..

EMDR today constitutes an alternative with lasting results in many cases and, therefore, it is worth taking into account. Be that as it may, it is always positive to have more resources to address the impact of adverse events on humans.

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