EMDR: What it is & Why it Works
By Meghan Olson, MSW, LCSW
EMDR is one of those treatment styles that some people know about, few people understand, and most people have misconceptions around. So what is it really, and why does it work?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing, and it is well-known for being a type of trauma therapy.
Most people, when they hear of it, know it to be helpful in the context of PTSD, veterans, big traumatic moments — things of that nature. But what most people don’t know is that EMDR can actually benefit anyone and everyone on the planet.
One of the biggest misconceptions we see in regards to EMDR is this idea that you need to have experienced a BIG, isolated traumatic event in order for it to work. This misconception also stems from the idea that trauma is just that — big, isolated events.
While we know that trauma often is a big event, we also know that trauma can come in ALL shapes and sizes, and that every single person will experience trauma at some point in their life.
Now that we have misconceptions out of the way, let’s get into what EMDR is actually doing.
what to know about EMDR & the BRAIN
1.
EMDR focuses on specific moments
When we decide to utilize EMDR in treatment, we are working to pinpoint specific moments of life that our brain didn’t process properly and link them to current symptoms we experience.
2.
The brain needs both sides
In order for the brain to fully process an event both sides of it have to be engaged. But when we experience traumatic moments (big or small) the brain’s typical processing becomes inhibited because it feels threatened.
3.
Trauma gets stored
When the brain is inhibited, these events become “stuck” in an area that stores all the emotion we feel around them, and the area of the brain that understands and sees the full-picture doesn’t get its time to shine. Which is why traumatic moments FEEL extremely intense.
Once we have pinpointed the specific moments of life that were not processed well, we then work to reprocess them – ensuring that all areas of the brain necessary for processing are activated this time.
but what makes the reprocessing actually work?
You may be wondering how we know the brain will process our memories any differently when undergoing EMDR.
This is where bilateral stimulation comes in.
Bilateral stimulation = stimulating both sides of the brain. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation while we are reprocessing memories, and this is what ensures that the brain is doing its thing the right way (because we need both sides to make the *magic* happen, honey). The first type of bilateral stimulation used was eye movements - hence the name “Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing”.
let’s summarize!
EMDR is a treatment option that can be WILDLY beneficial for people, and it has been shown to lead to serious relief in numerous areas of life.
