I was chatting with someone the other day about the ups and downs of daily life.
She asked me how long I had been a therapist, and I responded for almost 20 years ( it indeed does not seem that long, and I do not feel that young). She mentioned that she had found therapy helpful when she had gone through some rough spots in her life. What she said next resonated and surprised me as I did not expect to hear it. She stated she felt that everyone could benefit from therapy as it is a place to discuss the pressures of our lives without burdening friends and family with the same constant things. Having a safe place to talk through things in an environment unconnected to the rest of our world can be excellent. Having someone who can be the person on the outside looking into a situation can often give a helpful and new perspective to situations.
This got me thinking about therapy and what is the purpose of treatment. Is it to make you feel better in the short term or help clients learn different skills they can use without a therapist? This leads to further pondering on what modalities also use this as a focal point for therapy. This led me to EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). While it is often used with trauma as a way of reprocessing memories of trauma, it can do a whole lot more. I will discuss the basics of EMDR, the eight stages, and some different ways EMDR can help me learn beyond trauma.
First, review the primary 8 stages of EMDR, as this is the core of EMDR.
1. History taking and treatment planning.
At the heart of the therapy process is a collaborative introduction between the therapist and the client. This stage involves gathering an accurate history and understanding the client’s goals for therapy and EMDR. It’s a crucial step in developing a treatment plan, where the therapist can identify the internal and external resources the client brings to the table. This collaborative approach ensures that the client’s needs and aspirations are at the forefront of the therapeutic journey, fostering a sense of inclusion and value.
2. Preparation
This stage explains EMDR more thoroughly and clarifies expectations. Specific techniques to manage emotional disturbances that may arise are discussed. Questions are answered to help everyone understand the rest of the stages.
3. Assessment
At this stage, the event to be reprocessed is identified, along with all thoughts, images, beliefs, and sensations about it. The amount of distress the event is causing currently SUD and the validity of cognition are also identified.
4. Desensitization
In this stage, eye movements, taps, or other bilateral stimulation BLS is done while the client thinks about the event. The focus is on lowering the SUD about the event. The client is encouraged to allow new thoughts, images, sensations, and feelings to emerge during this process.
5. Installation
This stage continues to use BLS and strengthen the positive thoughts and beliefs the clients want to associate with the event. The validity of cognition about the event is then wholly accurate.
6. Body Scan
At this stage, the client holds the original memory and a positive belief about it and then scans their body for any tension or tightness. If any tightness or tension is found, BLS is used to help reduce the tension.
7. Closure
It is helping the client return to a state of calm in the present moment, even if reprocessing is complete. When reprocessing is complete, the VOC feels true, and the body scan does not have any tension.
8. Reevaluation
Each session begins with the therapist and client discussing any reprocessed memories to check for changes in distress levels. Then, future targets and directions for continued treatment are determined.
This is the basic setup for EMDR, which is used to help with trauma, sports performance, and even skills building or resourcing. This is one of the things that makes EMDR such an excellent process that can aid in treating so many things.
Trauma is most likely what people think of when they think about EMDR.
It does help very much with trauma, allowing the memories of past events to be less disturbing. When dealing with trauma, there is also a sense of safety that is very important to consider. Stephen Porgues is a neuroscientist who developed the concept of Neuroception.
Neuroception refers to the subconscious neural process through which our nervous system detects cues of safety, danger, or threat in our environment. It operates below the level of conscious awareness and influences our physiological and emotional responses. Neuroception is crucial in regulating our autonomic nervous system and shaping social behavior and emotional experiences. We are constantly searching the environment to determine whether we are safe. Memories of traumatic events can leave us not feeling safe, or misreading simple things such as threats, loud noises, and mean gunshots could be an example. It is important to understand Neuroception to create safe environments for therapy and treatment.
Trauma-Informed Approach:
EMDR therapists consider how clients’ neuroceptive responses may influence their experiences of trauma and therapy. Clients with a history of trauma may have dysregulated Neuroception, leading to hypervigilance, dissociation, or other adaptive responses to perceived threats. EMDR therapists work to regulate clients’ nervous systems and create conditions conducive to healing.
Bilateral Stimulation:
Using bilateral stimulation in EMDR, such as eye movements, taps, or auditory cues, may influence clients’ neuroceptive responses. Bilateral stimulation is thought to engage the autonomic nervous system and facilitate the processing and integration of traumatic memories. Clients’ neuropeptide responses to bilateral stimulation can vary, and therapists adjust the intensity and pacing of stimulation accordingly.
Resourcing and Grounding:
EMDR therapists often employ resourcing and grounding techniques to help clients regulate their nervous systems and manage distress during therapy. These techniques can involve accessing positive memories, cultivating inner resources, or using sensory-based strategies to anchor clients in the present moment. By leveraging neuroception, therapists can enhance the effectiveness of these interventions.
EMDR can be enhanced when we are aware of neuroception and trauma. It will help lower distress and increase emotion regulation.
Sports performance can be helped through EMDR.
Addressing Performance Anxiety:
Athletes often experience performance anxiety, which can hinder their ability to perform at their best. EMDR can target and desensitize the underlying anxieties related to performance, such as fear of failure, judgment, or past negative experiences. By processing and reprocessing these anxieties, athletes may experience reduced performance-related stress and increased confidence.
Enhancing Visualization and Mental Imagery:
EMDR can reinforce positive mental imagery and visualization techniques commonly used in sports psychology to improve performance. By pairing bilateral stimulation with guided imagery of successful performances or desired outcomes, athletes can strengthen their mental rehearsal skills and build confidence in their ability to achieve their goals.
Processing Past Performance Traumas:
Some athletes may have experienced traumatic events or setbacks in their athletic careers that continue to impact their performance. EMDR can help athletes process and reframe these past experiences, allowing them to move forward with greater resilience and motivation. It is helpful in sports performance as it helps one move past past experiences and look forward to the next performance.
EMDR and Skills Building (Resourcing)
Creating resources for clients using EMDR involves identifying and cultivating internal and external supports that clients can utilize to regulate their nervous systems, cope with distress, and facilitate the processing of traumatic memories. Resources may include internal or external sources.
Positive Memories:
Help the client identify and vividly recall positive memories or experiences that evoke feelings of safety, comfort, and empowerment. These memories can serve as anchors during distressing moments.
Safe Place Imagery:
Guide the client in creating a mental image of a secure, peaceful, and comforting place to retreat when feeling overwhelmed or triggered. Please encourage them to engage all their senses to make the imagery more vivid and immersive.
Inner Resources:
Explore the client’s internal strengths, qualities, and coping skills that they can draw upon to navigate complex emotions and situations. This may include resilience, courage, compassion, wisdom, and creativity.
Grounding Techniques:
Teach the client grounding techniques to help them stay present and connected to their body during distressing experiences. Grounding techniques may involve focusing on sensory experiences (e.g., deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, mindfulness exercises) or physical activities (e.g., walking, stretching).
By creating resources for clients using EMDR, therapists can empower clients to build resilience, enhance self-regulation, and facilitate healing and growth in therapy and beyond.
EMDR is a versatile and practical therapy approach. It can create lasting positive effects for clients like those listed below.
Increased Resilience:
By cultivating internal and external resources, clients develop greater resilience to navigate life’s challenges and adversities. They learn to draw upon their strengths, coping skills, and support systems to cope effectively with stressors and setbacks, even after therapy.
Enhanced Self-Regulation:
Resourcing techniques in EMDR help clients regulate their emotions, manage distress, and modulate their physiological arousal levels. Over time, clients become more adept at recognizing and responding to their internal experiences in adaptive ways, leading to improved emotional regulation in various contexts.
Improved Coping Skills:
Clients acquire a repertoire of coping skills and strategies that they can apply to cope with triggers, cravings, urges, and other distressing experiences. These coping skills may include mindfulness, grounding techniques, relaxation exercises, assertiveness training, and problem-solving skills, which continue to benefit them daily.
Strengthened Sense of Self-Efficacy:
Engaging in resourcing activities empowers clients to take an active role in their healing journey and develop a sense of agency and self-efficacy. As clients experience the effectiveness of their resources in managing distress and promoting well-being, they gain confidence in their ability to cope with future challenges and uncertainties.
Preventative Effects:
Building resources through EMDR therapy can serve as a preventive measure against future trauma or relapse. By strengthening clients’ resilience and coping skills, therapy helps them mitigate the impact of potential stressors and reduces their vulnerability to recurring trauma or mental health challenges.
Maintenance and Reinforcement:
EMDR therapists often provide clients with tools and strategies to reinforce and maintain their resources beyond completing therapy. Clients are encouraged to continue practicing resourcing techniques independently and seek additional support or therapy to sustain their progress.
Begin EMDR Therapy in Richmond, VA, and Across the State!
These effects underscore the transformative potential of EMDR in building resilience and promoting lasting recovery and growth. EMDR does more than just help treat trauma; it can help heal past memories, enhance performance, and enhance emotional regulation. If you would like to discuss or learn more about how EMDR can help you, follow these simple steps to get started with Gray Horse Counseling:
- Contact me and schedule a free consultation.
- Check out my FAQs and read more about me
- Start healing with the benefits of EMDR!
Other Services Offered with Gray Horse Counseling
EMDR therapy isn’t the only service offered in support of your mental health. I’m happy to offer in-person help in Powhatan, Richmond, and online in Virginia. Other services at Gray Horse Counseling include individual therapy, anxiety therapy, group therapy, equine sports, clinical supervision, equine therapy, and depression treatment. Check out my FAQs, read about me, and contact me today to get the help you deserve!