Tessa Quinn
EMDR therapy, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy, is a mental health treatment technique that involves moving the eyes in a specific way while processing traumatic memories. EMDR therapy is used to treat mental health conditions that arise from past traumatic events, and it is particularly effective for those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While EMDR therapy is commonly used and has been recognized by multiple global organizations, it is still unclear whether psychiatric hospitals utilize this form of therapy. There has been research conducted within a mental health hospital to examine the efficacy of EMDR therapy for patients experiencing an acute mental health crisis, but it is unknown whether this research has led to the implementation of EMDR therapy in psychiatric hospitals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Therapy | Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy |
| Common Name | EMDR therapy |
| Use Case | Treatment of mental health conditions caused by memories of traumatic events |
| Effectiveness | Proven effective in dozens of clinical trials, research studies, and academic papers |
| Treatment Duration | 6 to 12 sessions |
| Treatment Phases | 8 |
| Treatment Steps | Desensitization, Installation, Body Scan |
| Treatment Techniques | Bilateral stimulation (BLS), Tapping, Audio tones, Blinking lights |
| Treatment Goal | Reduce symptoms of trauma, change how memories are stored in the brain |
| Treatment Suitability | Adults, Adolescents, Teenagers, Children |
| Treatment Precaution | Should be conducted with a qualified psychiatrist or therapist |
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What You'll Learn
EMDR therapy's effectiveness in treating trauma
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a psychotherapy method that treats mental health conditions caused by memories of traumatic events. It is best known for its role in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and is listed as a "best practice" by the US Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense for treating veterans with PTSD. EMDR therapy has also been used to treat other conditions, including anxiety, depression, OCD, chronic pain, addictions, and other distressing life experiences.
EMDR therapy is a relatively new treatment method, with the first clinical trial taking place in 1989. Since then, dozens of clinical trials, case studies, and millions of clinical hours have demonstrated its effectiveness in treating trauma. Research has shown that EMDR can help individuals recover from trauma and PTSD symptoms faster than many other methods. It can also be completed in fewer sessions than other psychotherapies, making it a more efficient treatment approach.
The therapy consists of eight phases that occur over multiple sessions, with each session lasting between one and a half hours. The first two phases typically happen in the early sessions, while phases three to eight are part of multiple sessions later. For a single disturbing event or memory, it usually takes between three and six sessions. More complex or long-term traumas may take eight to twelve sessions or more.
During EMDR therapy, patients focus on the image that represents the worst part of their traumatic experiences, along with negative cognitions and associated sensations in their bodies. Bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or tapping, is used to help with trauma processing. Treatment continues until patients rate their distress levels as zero or one, indicating that the distress related to the traumatic memory has been significantly reduced.
EMDR therapy has received recognition from multiple organizations, including the American Psychiatric Association, the World Health Organization, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the United Kingdom, and the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council. It has also been used by celebrities such as Prince Harry, Sandra Bullock, and Lady Gaga to treat trauma.
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EMDR therapy's use in psychiatric hospitals
EMDR therapy, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy, is a mental health treatment technique that involves moving the eyes in a specific way while processing traumatic memories. The goal of EMDR is to help individuals heal from trauma or other distressing life experiences. EMDR therapy is broken down into eight phases, performed in a specific order, and treatment usually consists of anywhere from 6 to 12 sessions.
EMDR therapy has been shown to be effective in treating trauma and trauma-related disorders. It is recognized by multiple global organizations, including the American Psychiatric Association, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, the United Kingdom's National Institute for Health Care and Excellence, and the World Health Organization. EMDR therapy is also listed as a "best practice" by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense in treating veterans experiencing PTSD.
EMDR therapy can be used in psychiatric hospitals to treat patients experiencing an acute mental health crisis. A practice-based service development project was conducted within a mental health hospital, offering EMDR therapy to adult patients receiving care from an inpatient mental health ward or the Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team (CRHTT). Those who had reported experiencing at least one traumatic event were offered EMDR therapy to explore if treating their background trauma could improve their general psychopathology and decrease their desire for suicide.
The standard eight-phase protocol was used in the research, with patients focusing on the image that represented the worst part of their traumatic experiences, along with negative cognitions and associated sensations in their bodies. Treatment continued until patients no longer experienced subjective units of distress (SUDS). The primary outcome measures were anxiety, depression, psychological impact of trauma (PTSD symptoms), desire for suicide, and service utilisation.
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EMDR therapy's phases and process
EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy, is a mental health treatment technique that involves moving the eyes in a specific way while processing traumatic memories. The goal of EMDR therapy is to help individuals heal from trauma or other distressing life experiences. EMDR therapy consists of eight phases that occur over multiple sessions, with one session sometimes using parts of several phases. Here is an overview of the eight phases:
Phase 1: Patient History and Information Gathering
In the first phase, the therapist and client discuss the client's history, including any upsetting or disturbing events and memories that the client wants to address in therapy. The therapist also assesses the client's internal and external resources and develops a treatment plan.
Phase 2: Preparation
During the preparation phase, the therapist explains the EMDR therapy process and sets expectations. Any concerns or questions from the client are addressed, and a safe therapeutic alliance is established. The therapist and client also collaborate to prepare specific techniques to cope with any emotional disturbances that may arise during treatment.
Phase 3: Assessment
In this phase, the therapist helps the client identify specific memories, themes, negative beliefs, and positive beliefs that they want to work on during reprocessing. The client identifies negative images, thoughts, feelings, and body sensations associated with the traumatic event(s).
Phase 4: Desensitization and Reprocessing
During this phase, the therapist activates the client's memory by helping them identify and process specific negative images, thoughts, feelings, and body sensations. The client focuses on external bilateral stimulation, such as therapist-controlled eye movements or tactile stimulation, while processing the traumatic material.
Phase 5: Installation
In the installation phase, the client focuses on the positive beliefs they want to build as they process their memories. The therapist helps the client identify helpful shifts in feelings and body sensations, lessons learned, and a sense of strength and resilience.
Phase 6: Body Scan
The body scan phase involves the client focusing on how they feel physically and emotionally while processing negative memories. The therapist helps the client identify any remaining symptoms or distress associated with the trauma.
Phase 7: Closure and Stabilization
This phase serves as a bridge between sessions, ensuring that the client feels stable and safe before ending the session. The therapist may provide additional tools or techniques to help the client manage their emotions and maintain stability.
Phase 8: Reevaluation and Continuing Care
In the final phase, the therapist and client review the client's progress and discuss how they are doing in the present moment. They determine if additional sessions are needed and adjust goals and expectations accordingly. The client also explores how they would like to handle future challenges, utilizing their newfound insights and understanding of their past trauma.
The eight phases of EMDR therapy provide a framework to guide the treatment process and facilitate accelerated information processing. The number of sessions required depends on the complexity and duration of the trauma, with simpler traumas typically requiring fewer sessions than more complex or long-term traumas.
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EMDR therapy's benefits and limitations
EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy, is a mental health treatment technique that involves moving the eyes in a specific way while processing traumatic memories. It is best known for its role in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma-related disorders. EMDR can be completed in fewer sessions than other psychotherapies and does not require talking in detail about distressing issues. Instead, it focuses on changing the emotions, thoughts, and behaviors that result from distressing experiences.
Benefits
EMDR therapy has been shown to be effective in treating trauma and PTSD, with dozens of clinical trials, case studies, and research studies supporting its efficacy. It has been recognized by multiple organizations, including the American Psychiatric Association, the World Health Organization (WHO), and government agencies in several countries. EMDR can help individuals recover from traumatic memories and experiences, allowing the brain to resume its natural healing process. It can be beneficial for adolescents, teenagers, and adults and can also be specialized for children. EMDR has been found to be superior to Prozac in trauma treatment and can be effective in treating various conditions, including anxiety, depression, OCD, chronic pain, and addictions.
Limitations
One limitation of EMDR therapy is that it may not be suitable for individuals experiencing an acute psychotic episode. While EMDR can be effective, it can also have side effects, including heightened anxiety, sadness, anger, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and increased dreams or nightmares. These side effects are typically mild and temporary, but they can be challenging to manage. Recalling traumatic memories during EMDR can also be emotionally distressing, and the treatment may not work for everyone. Additionally, EMDR is a relatively new therapy method, and there may be limitations in funding for further research.
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EMDR therapy's suitability for different patients
EMDR therapy, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy, is a mental health treatment method that involves patients moving their eyes in a specific way while processing traumatic memories. The goal of EMDR therapy is to help patients heal from trauma and other distressing life experiences by changing the emotions, thoughts, and behaviours that result from the trauma. This allows the brain to resume its natural healing process. EMDR therapy is particularly effective for patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma-related disorders. It has been recognised by multiple global organisations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and government agencies in the UK, Australia, and Germany.
EMDR therapy is suitable for adolescents, teenagers, and adults of all ages. Some healthcare providers also specialise in EMDR therapy for children. It is especially beneficial for individuals who struggle to talk in detail about distressing issues, as EMDR therapy focuses on changing the emotions and thoughts resulting from the trauma rather than discussing the trauma itself. This makes it a good fit for individuals who want to avoid retraumatisation, which can occur with other therapy methods that involve repeatedly recounting traumatic events.
EMDR therapy has been shown to be effective in treating various mental health conditions beyond PTSD, including anxiety, depression, OCD, chronic pain, addictions, and other distressing life experiences. It can be completed in fewer sessions than other psychotherapies, making it suitable for individuals seeking rapid results. Additionally, EMDR therapy takes a holistic approach to healing, addressing both the symptoms of mental health conditions and their underlying causes, which can result in more long-lasting improvements in mental health.
While EMDR therapy is suitable for most individuals experiencing trauma-related mental health conditions, it may not be recommended for all patients. For example, individuals experiencing an acute psychotic episode may not be suitable candidates for EMDR therapy. Additionally, during the initial patient history and information gathering phase, healthcare providers will assess whether EMDR therapy is likely to help a particular patient, considering their specific traumatic experiences and goals for therapy.
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Frequently asked questions
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a psychotherapy method that helps people recover from trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. EMDR therapy involves eight phases, including history-taking, treatment planning, preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation, body scan, and closure.
EMDR therapy helps the brain process traumatic memories and allows normal healing to resume. It does this by leading the patient through a series of bilateral (side-to-side) eye movements as they recall traumatic or triggering experiences in small segments, until those memories no longer cause distress.
EMDR therapy is very common around the world and has been recognized by multiple global organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Psychiatric Association, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Defense. EMDR therapy is used in various settings, including mental health hospitals, and can be performed by qualified mental health professionals such as psychiatrists or therapists.
