What Are The 8 Phase Of EMDR?
EMDR is a specialized therapy that assists individuals in processing and recovering from traumatic and distressing experiences. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR uses alternative techniques to aid in the reprocessing of difficult emotions. This article explains what to expect during an EMDR session and walks you through the eight distinct phases of the process.
What is EMDR and How Does It Work?
EMDR is a type of therapy that helps people process and heal from traumatic life experiences. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to help reprocess traumatic memories and reduce their emotional impact. Bilateral stimulation involves engaging both sides of the brain at the same time through rhythmic eye movements, taps, or auditory cues.
These actions help remove the roadblocks that traumatic memories create in your brain. Rather than thinking of an event that has caused an emotional roadblock and feeling triggered by it, EMDR helps move the roadblock out of the way so you can continue down the path of emotional processing healthily.
What to Expect During an EMDR Session
During an EMDR session, you'll work with a trained therapist like me, who will guide you through the process. We'll start by talking about what brought you to therapy and what you hope to achieve. Then, we'll move through the eight phases of EMDR together. Each phase has a specific purpose, and I'll be with you every step of the way.
Let's break down these eight phases, so you know what to expect:
1. History Taking
In the first phase, I'll gather information about your history and current issues. We'll talk about your past experiences, especially any traumatic events, and set some goals for your therapy. This helps me understand where you're coming from and how best to support you.
2. Preparation
Next, we'll work on building a trusting relationship and preparing you for EMDR. I'll explain how the process works and teach you some techniques to help you feel safe and grounded during our sessions. This might include deep breathing or visualization exercises.
3. Assessment
In this phase, we'll identify a specific memory or issue to focus on. We'll talk about the negative thoughts and emotions associated with this memory, as well as the positive beliefs you'd like to have instead. This helps us target the areas that need healing.
4. Desensitization
Now comes the bilateral stimulation part. While you think about the traumatic memory, I'll guide you through eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation. This helps your brain start to reprocess the memory, reducing its emotional charge.
5. Installation
Once the distress from the memory has decreased, we'll focus on strengthening a positive belief about yourself. This could be something like "I am strong" or "I am safe now." The goal is to replace the negative thoughts with more empowering ones.
6. Body Scan
After installing the positive belief, we'll do a body scan to see if there's any residual tension or discomfort. This helps ensure that the memory has been fully processed and that you're feeling better both mentally and physically.
7. Closure
At the end of each session, we'll make sure you're feeling calm and stable before you leave. I'll guide you through some relaxation exercises and check in with you about how you're feeling.
8. Reevaluation
In the final phase, we'll review your progress and see how you're feeling about the memory we worked on. We'll also discuss any new issues and plan our next steps in your treatment.
Conclusion
EMDR Therapy can be a powerful tool for healing trauma. If you're interested in exploring EMDR, I encourage you to reach out for professional help. Feel free to contact me anytime to schedule a free consultation. Let's start your healing journey together!
