EMDR

1. What is EMDR?

EMDR is an acronym for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is an innovative clinical treatment that has successfully helped over a million individuals who have survived trauma, including sexual abuse, domestic violence, combat, crime, and those suffering from a number of other complaints including depressions, addictions, phobias and a variety of self-esteem issues.

EMDR is a complex method of psychotherapy that integrates many of the successful elements of a range of therapeutic approaches in combination with eye movements or other forms of rhythmical stimulation in ways that stimulate the brains information processing system.

With EMDR therapy it is unnecessary to delve into decades-old psychological material, but rather, by activating the information-processing system of the brain, people can achieve their therapeutic goals at a rapid rate, with recognizable changes that dont disappear over time.

2. Why The Eye Movements?

The eye movements are just one way of accessing both sides of the brain. Tapping is often used as well as a light bar or sound system.

3. Will I Be Aware Of What Is Happening?

Yes. You are awake and fully conscious at all times. EMDR is not about someone doing something to you. With EMDR you are in control of the process at all times.

Most people react to their first EMDR quite positively. They also express surprise that everything seems to be the same. Often people indicate they are fully aware of the issue they were processing but it does not feel as powerful as before.

4. If it is so good, how come all therapists don't use it?

There a so many different skills a therapist can learn after university it is endless. Some therapists choose to specialize in a particular area. EMDR has become most popular in the treatment of traumatic injuries. Not every therapist works in this area.

Not every technique can be learned by one therapist; there are just too many. As well, to take training in EMDR requires study, travel, supervision, and money.

5. Is There any Research I Can Read?

Yes. Lots of research. The latest list of articles is available at the EMDR and the EMDRIA web sites.

Fourteen controlled studies support the efficacy of EMDR, making it the most thoroughly researched method ever used in the treatment of trauma. The most recent 5 studies with individuals suffering from events such as rape, combat, loss of a loved one, accidents, natural disasters, etc. have found that 84-90% no longer had post-traumatic stress disorder after only three treatment sessions.

A recent study financed by Kaiser Permanente revealed that EMDR was twice as effective in half the amount of time compared to the standard traditional care. However, clients and clinicians should note that EMDR is not a race. While many people show dramatic responses in a short amount of time, there are also those who will progress more slowly and that the slower progression is not abnormal. Just as in any therapy, we all progress at the rate appropriate to the individual and the clinical situation.

The major significance of EMDR is that it allows the brain to heal its psychological problems at the same rate as the rest of the body is healing its physical ailments.

6. How Did EMDR Come About?

EMDR is based on a chance observation that Dr. Francine Shapiro made back in 1987. While walking in the park one day, she noticed that some disturbing thoughts she was having suddenly disappeared. She also noticed that when she brought these thoughts back to mind, they were not as upsetting or as valid as before. Being a Psychologist, she was fascinated and started to pay very close attention to what was going on. She experimented with what she learned and soon after developed a protocol. (Taken from: Shapiro, F. (1995). Eye movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: Basic principles, protocols, and procedures. Guilford Press: New York. p2.

Dr Shapiro is a licensed psychologist and a senior research fellow at the Mental Research Institute in Palo Alto. She is the Executive Director of the EMDR Institute, which trains clinicians in the EMDR method. She is the recipient of the 1993 Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award presented by the California Psychological Association.

7. How does one become qualified in the use of EMDR?

A therapist must take specialized training in the use of EMDR. There are two training levels. Level I teaches the basic application of EMDR. Level II is usually taken one or two years after Level I and teaches more in depth skills. Level I practitioners are not certified and are limited in their practice.

The EMDRIA International Institute accredits training programs and certifies practitioners around the world.

To be certified in EMDR you must:

  1. complete Level I and II approved training programs;
  2. Be licensed or approved to practice as a mental health professional. In BC this requires a Master's degree and two years post-graduate experience;
  3. show documentation that you have conducted at least 50 EMDR sessions with no less than 25 clients;
  4. show documentation that you have received 20 hours of consultation by an Approved Consultant in EMDR;
  5. provide letters of recommendation from one or more Approved Consultants;
  6. provide two letters of recommendation regarding their professional utilization of EMDR in practice, ethics in practice, and professional character;
  7. show completion of at least 12 hours of EMDIRA Credits in EMDR during every two year period.