Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Trauma can show up in our lives in many different ways.  It can show up where we do not always expect it to.  Trauma can result in: feelings of isolation, difficulty trusting people, feeling numb or disconnected, having difficulty concentrating, experiencing mood swings, having an easy startle, being easily reactive, having difficulty setting boundaries, sensory concerns, feeling the need to find control.

ICC counsellors practice in a trauma-informed way.  We are committed to bringing safety, trust and transparency, choice, collaboration, empowerment, and an understanding of culture into our work with clients.

What is EMDR therapy?

EMDR is a structured therapy that is well researched for trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms.  When engaging in this therapy, the client will focus briefly on the trauma memory and experience bilateral stimulation (eye movements, feet or hand tapping), which research demonstrates can reduce the vividness and emotional reaction connected to the trauma memories.  Research has demonstrated that EMDR also helps with the following conditions, to name a few: 

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Anxiety, panic, phobias, test anxiety
• Mood Disorders
• Eating Disorders
• Substance Use
• Dissociative Disorders
• Stress
• Pain, Chronic Illness, Medical Trauma
• Grief and Loss
• Sports Anxiety
• Experience of Trauma, Abuse, and Neglect
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Sleep Problems
• Addictions
• Impulse Control Behaviours
• Being Bullied

There is no need to walk through your traumatic story in detail.  When we recall or are reminded of a stressful or traumatic event, we often react with a stress response (such as fight, flight, freeze, appease).  We may feel overwhelmed or like we are back in the same situation again.  Although we will still likely remember our traumatic events, EMDR helps reduce or eliminate the need for our brains to re-enter the stress cycle.  Our brain learns to heal from the events of the past.

EMDR for Children

Our EMDR therapist has completed her certificate for EMDR with children 4 years of age and up. EMDR with children uses developmentally-appropriate techniques and a combination of music, art, movement, and play to support children to process trauma. Our EMDR therapist will work as a team with you and your child in developing resources or coping strategies, building trust, and identifying blocks to processing to ensure your child can safety engage in processing. Once processing begins, children often heal more quickly than adults. Please contact us if you feel that EMDR might be a good fit for your child.

EMDR Sessions 

There are eight phases and three prongs in EMDR therapy. The three prongs of EMDR therapy are: past, present, and future. EMDR seeks to identify how events or experiences from people’s pasts are “showing up” or creating dysfunction in their present, process those past experiences so they have less impact on the present, and help people react differently in the future.

Phase One: History. During this phase, the counsellor and client will begin building a therapeutic relationship; the client will communicate their reasons for seeking therapy; and the therapist will gather any important and relevant information including identifying existing strengths and resources (coping strategies) and conducting informal assessments. This knowledge will inform the preparation phase.

Phase Two: Preparation. In this phase, the therapist will provide psychoeducation to ensure the client knows what to expect; help the client strengthen existing resources and build additional resources; and identify the specific targets (goals) for therapy.

Phases One and Two are typically done simultaneously. Depending on the nature of the client’s goals and existing resources, this phase may take as little as one session. But it as long as it takes for the client to be able to successfully utilize resources to self-sooth and cope. It is critical that the client have sufficient resources to be able to safely experience the neural activation occurring during the processing phases.

Phases Three through Seven: Assessment, Desensitization, Installation, Body Scan, and Closure. Phases Three through Seven must be done in conjunction with each other. This is where the bilateral stimulation and processing takes place. It is important to activate the neural pathways in order to facilitate processing, which means the client is likely to experience some distress, but it is equally important that sufficient time is given each session to ensure the client feels safe and contained. During this time, it is not uncommon for clients to experience emotions, dreams, or distress outside of session, and it is important clients remember to employ the resources practiced in previous phases.

Phase Eight: Re-evaluation. This is a continual process throughout therapy during which the therapist and client notice any changes or effects the client may be experiencing and identify changes or additional resources the client may need.

References

Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy: Basic principles, protocols, and procedures (3rd ed.). The Guilford Press.
Kennard, D. (2019). S.A.F.E. approach to EMDR therapy. Safety and attachment focused EMDR. Personal Transformation Institute.

Learn more in our EMDR blog post.

EMDR is available in our Parksville office, North Nanaimo, Downtown Nanaimo, Duncan, and virtually.