What to Know About Eye Movement Therapy (EMDR)

Eye movement therapy, also known as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), is a popular therapy treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other trauma disorders. Studies have shown that eye movement therapy is more effective than traditional therapy. More than 7 million patients have embraced EMDR.

What is eye movement therapy?

Eye movement therapy was developed in the 1980s to treat PTSD. As the decades have passed, more mental health professionals have used EMDR for other trauma disorders and traumatic memories.

The counselor helps the patient to focus on a particular memory that brings, at best, discomfort and, at worst, pain. These memories are vivid and bring strong emotions. EMDR seeks to work with these unprocessed memories through a series of phases using eye movement and bilateral stimulation (rhythmic left to right). These controlled sessions will help to decrease the emotional response.

The Eight Phases of EMDR

Another reason that eye movement therapy is popular is that it can usually be completed in one to three sessions. Many people attend one or two sessions a week. There is no overexposure to a trigger or homework to practice.

These are the recognized phases of EMDR:

History and Assessment In the first stage, the counselor and client will work together to review history and treatments. An assessment will be completed and a plan made for treatment.

Preparation for Treatment In the preparation stage, the counselor will review eye movement therapy, teach the client how to do the movements, and introduce the concept of a Calm Place.

Discussion of the Memory and Assessment of the Beliefs and Emotions Although uncomfortable, the counselor will walk through the traumatic memory with the client, having the client describe emotions, beliefs, and bodily sensations. The counselor uses different scales to measure the client’s feedback and descriptions.

Desensitization and Physical Response In this phase, the client works through the distressing emotions and memories while doing the eye movements. The process is repeated as the client does a body scan, describing any sensations. This phase is repeated until the client reports that the traumatic memory no longer holds the same power over them.

Re-Evaluation This is the final phase of EMDR. The counselor re-evaluates the client to see if the memories have returned vividly since the last session. If there is any residual distress, the counselor revises the plan to address these during the new session.

The client and counselor relationship provides room for confidentiality and safety. As you embark on your course of treatment, your counselor will ensure that you understand how to access these memories safely and find a “calm place” when you need a break.

Eye movement therapy has been shown to be effective for distressing memories. Speak to a counselor today to learn if EMDR is right for you. You could have a breakthrough in as few as one or two sessions. Contact our office and speak to a representative to learn more.

Eye Movement Therapy Available in Your Area

If EMDR sounds like a good fit for you or you would like to learn more about eye movement therapy, contact our office today to schedule an assessment with a Christian counselor in Plano, Texas. EMDR has helped millions of people in over 130 countries deal with traumatic memories. Learn to take the power away from these memories and move forward with your life. Call us today at Texas Christian Counseling, Plano to get started.