Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Treatment
At Paracelsus Recovery, we incorporate Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) into many of our treatment programmes. EMDR is a psychotherapeutic treatment that is effective in treating numerous mental health conditions, such as PTSD, anxiety, depression and substance abuse. Symptoms can ease after only a few sessions, making it one of the most efficient treatment methods available.
What is EMDR?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), devised in the late 1980s, is an interactive psychotherapy technique used to ease the symptoms of trauma-related stress and anxiety. Today, EMDR is implemented as a treatment for a number of emotional problems, including panic attacks, anxiety, sexual dysfunction, eating disorders and depression. It is also a powerful tool that can break the cycle of addiction, promote recovery and prevent relapse.
EMDR helps us release emotional experiences that have become blocked or trapped in our nervous system. EMDR also involves replacing negative feelings with positive ones and cultivating coping skills for dealing with any stress or pain during the sessions. When we experience trauma, whether that’s as a result of divorce, the loss of a loved one, a life-threatening experience, financial loss or any other painful situation, it is common to feel unable to talk about the event. Each time we remember the experience we can feel overwhelmed by the painful emotions it triggers and become unable to process the event and its associated emotions.
EMDR works by helping the brain process traumatic memories using bilateral stimulation. During EMDR therapy, the individual purposely recalls difficult thoughts, feelings or memories while the therapist directs their eyes in a side-to-side movement. This bilateral stimulation activates both sides of the brain, facilitating processing of the event. The side-to-side movement also shifts their attention and heightened alertness to danger elsewhere, allowing the images and feelings associated with the traumatic event to arise without overpowering the mind. As a result, the brain can start its natural process of healing and the individual can begin to examine traumatic memories in a more reflective and critical manner. As part of the process, the therapist will guide the client to replace the painful feeling associated with the memory with resolved and peaceful feelings.
Is EMDR evidence-based?
EMDR is primarily used as a highly effective treatment method for PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), with studies showing that EMDR has an astounding 80-90% success rate in treating PTSD. More recently, the technique has shown great promise for other trauma victims, including those diagnosed with eating disorders. It has also been shown to have great potential to help people struggling with trauma-associated mood disorders such as depression as well as anxiety disorders and a variety of conditions ranging from insomnia to performance anxiety and poor self-esteem.
Many patients report making much more progress in much less time with EMDR than more classical forms of psychotherapy. A number of studies over the last couple of decades have indicated a dramatic improvement with EMDR, sometimes after only a few sessions. For example, a study conducted by Kaiser Permanente found that more than three-quarters of multi-trauma victims and 100 percent of single-trauma victims were free of PTSD after six sessions. In another study involving combat victims, a high percentage of participants were completely free of symptoms after 12 sessions.
How is EMDR included in your programme?
At Paracelsus Recovery, EMDR trauma-treatment is incorporated into your treatment programme when appropriate. EMDR therapy is one aspect of our holistic treatment plan with sessions conducted by qualified and highly skilled EMDR practitioners. However, it is not a replacement for other forms of therapy. Therefore, we will always use it in conjunction with counselling and other treatment modalities. The length, frequency and amount of EMDR sessions will depend on your unique needs and circumstances. That being said, most patients experience results fairly quickly.
Treatment is a multi-step process that includes explanation of the procedure, personal history and discussion of the traumatic event and current level of stress. The therapist will ask the patient to remember a disturbing event and hold it in mind, recalling the bodily sensations, images and emotions. At the same time, the therapist will move their fingers from side to side and ask the patient to follow the movement visually, much like watching a tennis match. Gradually, the therapist will help the patient shift to more positive thoughts. The session will end with relaxation exercises, the therapist ensuring the patient is okay, and asking the patient to rate the current level of stress.
Before any sessions begin, the therapist will help you decide upon specific EMDR goals and a treatment plan. Each client must also undergo thorough a pre-treatment psychological and medical assessment. This is due to the fact that, while EMDR therapy is an entirely non-invasive and safe treatment procedure, it can be a very emotionally draining experience and can lead to a temporary increase in distressing memories, flashbacks and nightmares as your brain works through the traumatic experience. While challenging in the moment, this ’emotional release’ is highly beneficial for our mental health as it is our brain processing the event and loosening its control over our lives.
