So, how does EMDR really work?
Clients have been amazed and perplexed by the rapid decrease in distress when thinking of previous troublesome and traumatic memories, and the positive position that occurs by the end of the session when reprocessing through EMDR. This is after only one session. After suffering for YEARS with triggers which take clients right back to the vivid original memory, it is no doubt understandable that it seems “too good to be true”. However, the truth, is accessing the Adaptive Information Processing system (brain), while at the same time accessing the stored traumatic memory and attending to the present by focusing on bilateral stimulation (tapping, hand-held buzzers, auditory sounds through headphones, watching fingers with just eye movements waved in front of the face, drumming, walking in place, etc), allows the client to neutralize the original image, thoughts, emotions and sensations paired with the traumatic material. In this way, the healing process rapidly unfolds.
When the client returns to the original troubling traumatic material, the distress level is lowered. Additionally, the negative belief held about oneself, such as “I’m unlovable” is no longer carrying weight, but instead the validity of the positive cognition, such as “I am lovable, regardless (of others actions, words, behaviors) feels true to say. This shift can happen in as little as one session, and at other times there are many feeder memories that crystalize the negative belief of self in the psyche. When the belief is tied to other traumatic memories, processing of those memories is useful for overall greater mental well-being. So, in effect, it depends on the person. Often I will use the analogy that processing is a marathon, and not a sprint. EMDR is not a magic pill that will make all of your problems go away, but it is an amazingly useful tool to immediately decrease distress.
In conjunction with EMDR, somatic practices such as vagus nerve exercises, grounding, breathing techniques, visualization, use of music, or art is helpful to regulate, and help individuals tolerate distress. I utilize a holistic approach, weaving appropriate tools into sessions to help individuals move out of overactivation to a state of connection and safety. The extra tools assist clients in staying in the window of tolerance and processing at a speed appropriate for their nervous system, and ability to access traumatic memories.
If you are interested in a session with me, you can contact me to discuss further, or book through the appointments tab. I look forward to hearing from you!!
