EMDR Therapy in San Francisco, California
How EMDR Therapy Works:
Assessment and Preparation: In the beginning stages of therapy, I help my clients identify distressing memories or difficult life experiences from the past that may be contributing to distress in their day-to-day experiences, interactions, and relationships.
Bilateral Stimulation: I guide clients in performing specific eye movements, taps or sounds while recalling distressing memories. This is believed to mimic the brain's natural memory processing mechanisms, similar to what happens during REM sleep.
Memory Reprocessing: As my clients follow the movements, the emotional charge of the memory gradually reduces, and they begin to reframe their thoughts and emotions around it.
Desensitization and Healing: Over multiple sessions, my clients typically experience a reduction in distress, and the once-traumatic or overwhelming memory feels less intrusive or upsetting.
EMDR therapy typically follows an eight-phase structured approach:
History-Taking and Treatment Planning
First, I assess the client’s history so we can identify specific distressing memories or experiences that may be contributing to your present day thoughts, emotions, sensations, habits, and relationships. Together, we’ll map out a plan for how we’ll move forward with EMDR.Preparation
We’ll develop coping strategies and relaxation techniques to manage emotional distress during and between sessions.Assessment
Together, we’ll identify specific negative beliefs, emotions, and physical sensations associated with a traumatic memory or difficult experience. We’ll also explore positive beliefs and strengths that we can weave into our work together.Desensitization
At this stage, I’ll guide clients through bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or sounds) while the client recalls the traumatic memory or difficult experience. This helps the brain reprocess the memory, gradually reducing its emotional intensity.Installation
I help my clients develop or strengthen positive beliefs we can draw on to counter the distressing beliefs that may be linked to past memories or experiences.Body Scan
Clients will then focus on any lingering physical tension or discomfort related to the memory. If discomfort remains, more processing is done.Closure
At the end of each session, we’lll close by ensuring that you are in a stable emotional state and are ready to resume your day. Relaxation techniques may be used.Reevaluation
At the start of the next session, we’ll check the progress and determine if further processing is needed.
More about EMDR
EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a powerful and efficient method to address the symptoms of posttraumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and other painful experiences. EMDR therapy involves targeting memories that have become neurologically “stuck”, using bilateral stimulation (usually in the form of eye movement or alternating tactile buzzers) to accelerate the brain’s capacity to process and resolve the troubling material. These frozen memories can be either “Big T” traumas (such as violence, rape, or life-threatening injury) or “little T” traumas (such as small but powerful adverse life events such as being called a name or feeling left out by peers). These unresolved memories make the past feel like it is still very much present and force current life experiences to be filtered through a negative, distorted lens.
The brain appears to have a natural healing process for dealing with difficult life events, much like the body has a natural healing process for cuts and broken bones. EMDR therapy can be likened to cleaning out an infected wound or setting a bone, so that the body can be effective in restoring healthy functioning. While other types of therapy are effective in allowing insight into the root causes of difficult emotions and providing tools for challenging negative thought and behavior patterns, EMDR therapy allows changes in emotional, cognitive, and behavioral response patterns to occur spontaneously.
This is not to say that the process of EMDR therapy is easy. It is a multi-phase process, often involving significant assessment and preparation, as well as strategic targeting of pivotal past experiences, present triggers to distress, and related future challenges. Like the analogy of cleaning a wound or setting a bone, it can be an intense experience to activate the thoughts, feelings, and sensations of the memories that fuel a person’s fear, anger, and sadness. However, the reward is often that the source of the pain is then neutralized, as the brain integrates the positive and reality-based perspectives of safety, efficacy, and self-worth.
The Effectiveness of EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy was initially developed to treat trauma and over 30 randomized studies (and much related research) have provided empirical validation of its efficacy.
EMDR therapy has been assigned to Category A as “strongly recommended” for the treatment of trauma by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense (2004, 2010).
EMDR therapy has been included in SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (2011) for the reductions of trauma-related stress, anxiety, and depression.
In 2013, the WHO (World Health Organization) formally approved the recommendation of EMDR therapy for adults and children with PTSD.
Cautions and Safety Factors for EMDR Therapy
It is important to assess your current life situation to determine the most appropriate approach to EMDR therapy. You may need to postpone a demanding schedule immediately following EMDR therapy sessions. It is also important to explore issues that may arise as change occurs. For instance, adjustment in intimate, social, or professional patterns of interaction/behavior may become important following shifts in your beliefs about yourself after processing related themes in EMDR therapy.
Reprocessing of the memory may continue after the end of the formal therapy session. Other memories, flashbacks, dreams, feelings, and sensations may occur. Frequently the brain is able to process the additional material without help and without it being overwhelming. However, it is not necessary or encouraged for you to purposefully continue thinking about the trauma-related material. Instead, you are advised to utilize the calming and attention-shifting tools recommended by the therapist, connect with support systems, and contact the therapist if necessary.