Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy (EMDR)
What is EMDR?
Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) is a key intervention in treating trauma and is endorsed by the Australian Medical Health Practitioner Agency and the Australian Psychological Society. Rapid eye movement, which occurs naturally during dreaming, seems to speed the client’s movement through the healing process. By following the therapist’s fingers the client is guided and assisted to concentrate on a troubling memory or emotion while moving the eyes rapidly back and forth.
During EMDR therapy psychoeducation is provided and the client’s symptoms, support systems, resources and self-regulation skills are mapped out.
EMDR therapy is a very empowering technique for clients as they take control to resolve their trauma as they come to more positive conclusions. Retrieving a traumatic memory and following eye movements requires more working memory capacity than is available. Consequently, the traumatic memory is not completely retrieved and is less vivid with fewer associated feelings of fear, anger or sadness. Subsequently the new memory is highlighted, and the impacts of the trauma memory are reduced.
EMDR therapy is most commonly used to treat posttraumatic stress symptoms but EMDR therapy can also be used for any symptom related to memories of experiences in the past. Processing these memories could relieve the guilt and shame and change one’s core beliefs.
EMDR in children
This method of therapy is also safe and effective for children provided that the therapist is skilled and trained in working with this population and in this modality. Trauma can result from one event, multiple events, or a series of them. These events can cause children to see the world as dangerous and can alter their ability to function.
If an experience has been particularly traumatic for a child we cannot attempt to help them get over it by assuring them that it wasn’t such a big deal, or it wasn’t that bad. Our emotional states are a result of how we perceive the world and as a result a child may have stress related to a certain memory that doesn’t have the same effect on us.
EMDR is effective and well supported by research evidence for treating children with symptoms accompanying posttraumatic stress (PTSD), attachment issues, dissociation, and self-regulation.
EMDR with Deaf clients
Deaf people can experience trauma and abuse. Deaf people store memories visually and kinaesthetically rather than linguistically. EMDR makes use of bilateral stimulation which commonly involves eye movements related to REM sleep, but can also use tactile, auditory or kinaesthetic stimuli.
EMDR stimulates both hemispheres of the brain to re-process the information thus enabling the brain to access natural healing. The client then experiences a relief in the distress linked to those experiences. The standard protocol involves eight stages (see Shapiro, 2001).
EMDR is ideally suited for use with people who are Deaf and have experienced trauma in their past as it is an evidence-based therapy. EMDR attempts to resolve emotional reactions to traumatic memories and their triggers; through a combination of physical stimulation and the recollection and discussion of memories. Alana Roy uses Auslan and EMDRA with Deaf clients of all ages, developmental, emotional and language needs.
This hour-long session gives a good overview of an EMDR session
To find out more or book a session please contact Alana Roy here.
Reference: Shapiro, F. (2001). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: Basic principles, protocols, and procedures (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.