Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy for Trauma, PTSD, Addicitons and Phobias

Individuals with a history of trauma have a higher risk of being diagnosed with trauma-related mental health disorders. According to the Office on Women’s Health, “Trauma can have lasting effects on your mental, physical, and emotional health.” Treatment for mental health disorders usually involves integrative care to ensure clients have access to the most appropriate support services. Wisconsin Wellness uses evidence-based treatments to address trauma-related symptoms. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and other therapeutic tools allow clients to process trauma in a safe space. EMDR therapy often provides relief from trauma symptoms within a few short sessions. 

Transform Your Life With EMDR Therapy in Wisconsin

People living in and around Wisconsin may have limited access to trauma-specific treatments. According to the About EMDR Therapy page on the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) website, “EMDR is a structured therapy that encourages the patient to focus briefly on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements), which is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories.” Wisconsin Wellness uses rapid eye movement therapy in addition to a wide range of evidence-based and alternative holistic therapies.

Many individuals with a history of trauma are unaware of how past experiences impact their self-image, self-worth, self-confidence, and relationships with others. Reprocessing the psychological trauma may have a life-changing effect on people in treatment. Rapid eye movement therapy can significantly reduce or eliminate disruptive symptoms impacting people’s quality of life by changing how their bodies store traumatic memories. 

EMDR transforms people’s lives by doing the following: 

• Offering quick and effective relief from anxiety, depression, and other disorders caused by trauma  
• Reducing intrusive thoughts, dissociative events, and other symptoms of trauma-related disorders 
• Providing people with noninvasive tools for reprocessing traumatic memories, thoughts, or feelings

EMDR therapy is a popular treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related conditions. According to Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience, “Research indicates that EMDR could be a promising treatment for mental health [conditions] other than PTSD, including bipolar disorder, substance use disorders, and depressive disorders.” Wisconsin Wellness uses EMDR to guide clients through healing from the effects of psychological trauma. 

What Is EMDR Therapy?

American psychologist Francine Shapiro originally developed EMDR in the late 1980s to treat individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), “Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy—or talk therapy—for PTSD” and other trauma-related disorders. The therapy uses bilateral stimulation, eye movements, and mindfulness-based techniques to guide people through identifying and processing traumatic memories. Only a trained clinician can use rapid eye movement therapy to treat mental health disorders. 

Clients may do the following during EMDR sessions: 

• Experience visual, auditory, or physical bilateral stimulation 
• Focus on physical sensations and reactions caused by accessing traumatic memories
• Picture traumatic memories, thoughts, or beliefs while experiencing bilateral stimulation
• Replace traumatic memories with positive thoughts or imagery

Clients do not have to discuss their trauma with the therapist to successfully process it during EMDR therapy. Assessment and treatment of psychological trauma often involve integrative care, which may impact when and how EMDR is used to assist clients in their healing journey. Therapists use EMDR alongside cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), family therapy, and other treatments to assist clients in processing trauma they may feel uncomfortable discussing in individual or group therapy sessions.

What Types of Bilateral Stimulation Are Used in EMDR Therapy?

Bilateral stimulation is an integral part of EMDR therapy. The therapist either controls the stimulus or guides the client through controlling it themselves. Therapists and clients use physical, visual, or auditory tools to facilitate bilateral stimulation. The choice of stimulation often depends on the type of trauma. For example, a person with trauma related to sexual abuse may find tactile stimulation triggering. Therapists use many tools for stimulation during sessions. EMDR tappers are incredibly common due to their ability to provide tactile, auditory, or visual stimulation. 

Sound Stimulation

Bilateral sound stimulation has been known to improve visualization and also provides relief for individuals averse to physical touch. Clients may wear headphones with recordings that bounce the sound from the left to right ear and back at regular intervals. The stimulation helps people focus on the memory they want to process. Specific pieces of music may also be used for the same purpose. 

According to Brain Sciences, research has shown that “the more the bilateral stimulation is rich in stimuli, the more effective it is in unblocking the brain’s information processing centers, enriching the connection between the aversive information and the response to a current non-traumatic stimulus.” Pieces of music often offer additional stimuli compared to simple beeps, clicks, or other sounds. Therapists collaborate with their clients to determine what type of bilateral stimulation they may respond to best.

What Are the 8 Phases of EMDR Therapy?

EMDR is a standardized process. Every clinician personalizes various aspects of the therapy to the client’s needs and their own preferences. However, the specific phases remain consistent from one therapist to the next. Below are brief descriptions of the eight phases of EMDR therapy. 

#1. Taking a Client History

The first phase of EMDR therapy involves taking a comprehensive client history. Information learned during this phase provides guidance for how to approach various aspects of the treatment. According to the Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, “A detailed history helps the clinician to identify the client’s readiness.”

Clinicians take a client’s history by asking questions and having conversations about the following: 

• The client’s treatment plan
• Physical or psychological effects of the trauma 
• The source of the psychological trauma 
• Past treatments and their outcomes 
• The client’s physical and mental health 
• Goals for EMDR 

The more the therapist knows before the start of treatment, the better the outcome. Clinicians also review all client information provided during the initial intake assessment to ensure they do not miss any vital information about the client’s condition. 

#2. Preparing for Sessions by Educating the Client

Many clients have never heard of EMDR. The therapist provides context and information about eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, including how the treatment may affect treatment goals and the sensations clients may experience during sessions. Trauma processing is physically and emotionally taxing. The clinician explains each step of the process and ensures the client feels comfortable before moving to the next phase. 

#3. Assessing the Client and Potential Trauma Memories

During the assessment phase, the client chooses a memory related to the trauma. The therapist takes baseline measurements of how the client feels about the selected memory and how it affects the following: 

• Mental images  
• Thoughts 
• Physical sensations 
• Personal beliefs 

Once the therapist has a clear understanding of how that specific trauma memory impacts the client, they move to the next phase. 

#4. Desensitization Through Bilateral Stimulation and Eye Movement

The client focuses on the trauma memory while using specific eye movement and physical, auditory, or visual bilateral stimulation to desensitize them to the memory. Often, people notice new thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations during this stage. The therapist assists clients in maintaining focus on the target memory until they achieve emotional stability. Desensitization is quick, and most people reduce or completely eliminate negative reactions to the memory by the end of the session. 

#5. Installing a Positive Thought or Image

The client begins to replace fear and maladaptive beliefs with positive alternatives, including uplifting mantras or imagery. Clinicians collaborate with clients before the start of phase 4 to ensure clients know what positive alternatives they want to install into their thoughts while reprocessing the memory. The phase is complete when the client fully believes the newly installed beliefs or thoughts. 

#6. Body Scanning to Determine the Effectiveness of the Session

The therapist initiates a body scan after the client becomes desensitized to the traumatic imagery and has installed positive associations. According to the previously mentioned article by the VA, “Body scanning is used to see if any unpleasant bodily sensations remain in association with the event.” Once all unwanted body sensations are eliminated, the client moves on to the next phase. 

#7. Closure to Reduce the Risk of Re-Traumatization

Phase 7, closure, is an essential phase of EMDR practice. Due to the bilateral stimulation and eye movements, clients participating in EMDR may enter an altered state of consciousness. Closure involves returning the client to the present moment using grounding and mindfulness-based techniques. The precise methods depend on the client’s needs and the therapist’s preferences. Therapists may use guided imagery to assist clients during this phase.

#8. Reevaluation

Every subsequent session starts with reevaluating how the client feels about their reprocessed memories. Phase 8 is essential for monitoring overall treatment progress and the effectiveness of the therapy. 

How Does the Closure Phase of EMDR Therapy Help People Heal?

Closure at the end of a session is an important step in EMDR therapy. During sessions, clients are immersed in mental imagery related to the traumatic event and the positive image or thought they use to replace it. According to Frontiers in Psychology, “Phase 7, Closure, is designed to close down any session, [especially] a reprocessing session, whether it [leads] to complete or incomplete reprocessing of the target memory.” 

Mindfulness-based techniques draw the client’s focus back into the room and the present moment. Without that element of closure, some clients may experience more severe symptoms, including dissociative events. Therapists use the closure phase to ensure clients are emotionally stable and feeling in control of their emotions before ending the session. 

Discover the Healing Power of EMDR Therapy

People seek out treatment to help them heal, grow, and thrive. EMDR therapy is an excellent tool for managing mild to severe symptoms of psychological trauma. Most individuals report reduced symptoms within only a few 30 or 60-minute sessions. Some individuals may even experience a complete remission in their condition after incorporating EMDR into their treatment plan. EMDR is never the sole treatment for mental health disorders. Instead, the therapy is used alongside evidence-based treatments like psychotherapy and prescription medications. 

According to the What Is EMDR Therapy? page of the EMDR Institute website, “[S]tudies show that 84%-90% of single-trauma victims no longer have post-traumatic stress disorder after only three 90-minute sessions. Another study, funded by the HMO Kaiser Permanente, found that 100% of the single-trauma victims and 77% of multiple trauma victims no longer were diagnosed with PTSD after only six 50-minute sessions. In another study, 77% of combat veterans were free of PTSD in 12 sessions.”

Begin Your Journey to Wellness With EMDR Therapy in Wisconsin

EMDR is an excellent treatment for individuals struggling to manage mental health symptoms related to psychological trauma or chronic emotional distress. However, most people do not start with EMDR. Instead, clients usually begin with individual and group therapy. Clinicians monitor progress and use assessments and other tools to determine whether a person may progress better using EMDR or other modalities. 

Experience Transformative Healing and Emotional Relief With EMDR

Clinicians use EMDR alongside other treatment programs and services to provide healing and emotional relief to clients experiencing emotional distress. Individuals with multiple traumas may continue to use EMDR during continuing care. The case managers at Wisconsin Wellness collaborate with clients to create comprehensive aftercare plans. EMDR can have a transformative effect on people’s lives. The care team ensures individuals who find value in EMDR continue to have access as they step down to lower levels of care. 

Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR Therapy in Wisconsin

Many people diagnosed with trauma-related mental health disorders have questions about EMDR. The therapy was developed within the last 40 years, and many people are unaware of what to expect during sessions. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about EMDR therapy. 

Who Is EMDR For?

EMDR is a treatment for individuals who may not have gotten the results they wanted from traditional talk therapy or other therapeutic methods. Rapid eye movement therapy is ideal for individuals who have deep trauma that would be distressing to process using talk therapy or other techniques. 

EMDR is often used to treat the following individuals: 

• First responders 
• Individuals who have witnessed or experienced sexual or physical abuse 
• People with a history of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
• Military personnel or civilians working in a war zone 
• People who experience or witness severe illnesses or injuries 

Anyone can develop trauma from events they witness or experience. EMDR is used to help people from all backgrounds and walks of life heal from the damage caused by trauma or chronic stress. Individuals requiring crisis intervention and clinical supervision due to severe trauma symptoms may also benefit from rapid eye movement therapy. 

What Forms of Therapy Use EMDR?

Clients in treatment may use EMDR in addition to many other forms of therapy, including: 

• Cognitive processing therapy
• Brief psychotherapy
• Integrative psychotherapy
• Emotionally focused therapy
• Prolonged exposure therapy
• Hypnotherapy
• Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT)

EMDR trauma therapy improves emotional intelligence (EI), increasing self-awareness and self-regulation for individuals participating in integrative care. Almost any form of therapy can be used alongside EMDR to provide clients with skill development and healthy coping mechanisms.

What Conditions Does EMDR Treat?

Rapid eye movement therapy was initially created to treat PTSD, and it remains one of the most effective treatment options for PTSD and other conditions caused by trauma. In recent years, EMDR has been incorporated into treatment plans for individuals with other conditions, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), borderline personality disorder (BPD), and chronic or acute physical conditions.

Other disorders treated with EMDR include: 

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• Specific phobias 
• Panic disorder 
• Medical trauma caused by severe illness or injury 
• Eating disorders (EDs) 
• Chronic pain
• Substance use disorder (SUD)
• Trauma from grief or loss
• Postpartum depression (PPD)
• Adjustment disorder
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)
• Social anxiety disorder
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Type 2 diabetes

According to Frontiers in Psychology, studies on EMDR have reported positive outcomes for “numerous pathological situations, namely in addictions, somatoform disorders, sexual dysfunction, eating disorders, disorders of adult personality, mood disorders, reaction to severe stress, anxiety disorders, performance anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), pain, neurodegenerative disorders, mental disorders of childhood and adolescence, and sleep.” Anyone with conditions causing chronic emotional or physical distress may benefit from eye movement therapy. 

What Happens in EMDR Therapy?

EMDR starts with an introduction session, during which a trained professional takes a client’s history and familiarizes the client with what to expect from treatment. After the initial assessment and introductory phases, the client focuses on a specific memory chosen for the session. While they focus on the memory, the therapist assists the client in using bilateral stimulation and specific eye movements to help the client reprocess the memory. 

Sessions end with mindfulness exercises to ensure the client is fully present and no longer focused on the trauma. Most sessions involve very little talking or discussion between the client and the clinician. Instead, clients spend the majority of the session focusing on eye movement, bilateral stimulation, and mental imagery.

EMDR therapy is an excellent tool for managing PTSD and other trauma-related mental health disorders. To learn more, contact Wisconsin Wellness by calling (920) 404-2100.