What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR Therapy is a structured psychological approach to addressing trauma and associated mental health conditions. Developed over 30 years ago, it is one of the most well-researched trauma treatment models. By reprocessing distressing memories, EMDR Therapy helps clients achieve lasting emotional relief and improved mental health. It goes beyond treating symptoms to address the underlying core issues, resulting in profound, lasting change. Because EMDR changes how the brain processes information and experiences, once an issue has been fully resolved, it is unlikely to re-emerge in the future.
This 3 minute animation provides a helpful explanation of EMDR Therapy.
What does EMDR stand for?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a type of psychological therapy that is used to treat trauma, anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions that are linked to traumatic or adverse life events. EMDR Therapy is a structured treatment approach that focuses on processing past experiences and emotions that may be contributing to your current symptoms or life difficulties, as well as looking ahead to increasing your quality of life in the future.
Is EMDR Therapy endorsed and recognised treatment?
EMDR Therapy is an evidence-based treatment that is endorsed by the World Health Organisation and approved by Medicare Australia. It is provided by qualified mental health professionals who have undergone specialised training. I am an Accredited EMDR Trainer and deliver basic and advanced EMDR training to therapists across Australia.
What happens during an EMDR session?
During an EMDR session, the therapist will typically ask you to recall a traumatic event while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as rapidly moving your eyes back and forth. The eye movements activate the brain’s natural healing mechanism, similar to what occurs during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, when the eyes flicker left and right while you are dreaming.
When you recall a memory, it moves from your long-term memory to your short-term memory, otherwise known as working memory. Keeping the memory in mind while tracking the therapist’s fingers at the same time means that your working memory has to process a lot of information at the same time, therefore ‘overloading’ your working memory. As a result of all of this, three things usually happen: the memory becomes more distant; emotional distress diminishes; and new, more helpful beliefs emerge
Pathways start connecting between the emotional part of the brain and the part of the brain that thinks logically. You are likely to start thinking differently about the memory, which leads to it having a much less negative impact on you. As you process a series of key memories or issues in EMDR Therapy over time, your trauma symptoms are likely to reduce, more positive ways of thinking will likely develop, and your responses and behaviour will likely start to change. These changes are profound and lasting, because you are addressing core issues on a deep level, rather than just managing your symptoms.
How many treatments of EMDR Therapy are required?
EMDR Therapy is an 8-phase model of treatment that can take different lengths of time, depending on your particular circumstances. Some people require more preparation than others. Some memories resolve in a single session, sometimes it takes a few sessions. There is no right or wrong! You will be awake and in control at all times during an EMDR session and can say ‘stop’ if you are feeling overwhelmed and need to pause the process.
Interested in trying EMDR Therapy as a client?
I am the Practice Director of Mindful Living Counselling and Psychology, a private clinic where I lead the largest team of EMDR therapists in Australia. We offer EMDR Therapy to kids, teenagers, adults, couples and groups from our clinic in Croydon in Melbourne’s east, and via telehealth to people across Australia. We offer three types of EMDR Therapy to suit different client’s needs, preferences, and budgets:
Standard EMDR Therapy (1 x 50 minute sessions, typically once a week or fortnight)
Intensive EMDR Therapy (3 x 2-hour EMDR sessions in one week, with an option to do one or two weeks)
Group EMDR Therapy (3 x 2-hour weekly group sessions)
If you are interested in considering EMDR Therapy for you or someone in your life, you’re welcome to contact Mindful Living to discuss whether this treatment approach might be a good fit for you.
