EMDR is a psychotherapy technique used to treat trauma and other troubling life experiences. It was developed in 1987 when Dr. Francine Shapiro observed that eye movements seemed to reduce the intensity of disturbing thoughts. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation like eye movements or taps matched with recalling distressing memories, which helps reprocess the memories so they are no longer troubling. There are 8 phases of treatment where clients identify troubling memories and process them with sets of eye movements from the therapist until the distress level reduces. EMDR can often resolve trauma within a few sessions and has been shown to be an effective treatment for PTSD.

1. By
Josie Casillas
Michelle Llamas
Lynda Koliba
Kristin Tiffany

2.  In 1987, Dr. Francine Shapiro observed that eye
movement can reduce the intensity of disturbing
thoughts.
 She was having a particular disturbing thought while
walking one day, and she noticed that when she moved
her eyes back and forth the intensity of the negative
emotions of the unpleasant memory seems to diminish.
 The incident was then followed by intense studies and
in 1989, she reported that she was having success using
EMDR in treating trauma patients

3.  Psychotherapeutic technique called Eye Movement
Desensitization and Reprocessing
 Used to heal the symptoms of trauma, as well as
other emotional conditions
 EMDR is the most effective and rapid method for
healing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

4.  Allows a client to process an emotional experience
 Uses bilateral stimulation, right/left eye movement, or
tactile stimulation, or sound, which repeatedly activates the
opposite sides of the brain releasing emotional experiences
that are "trapped" in the nervous system
 It "unlocks" the negative memories and emotions stored in
the nervous system, and helps the brain to successfully
process the experience.
 EMDR makes it possible to gain the self-knowledge and
perspective that will enable the client to choose their
actions, rather than feeling powerless over their re-actions

5.  There are 8 phases of Treatment:
 1st includes the client’s history and treatment plan.
 2nd the therapist makes sure that the client is
emotional and mentally stable. If further
stabilization is required, the therapist will ensure that
this happens during the second phase.
 3rd Patient is to identify the traumatic target that the
disturbance is associated with.

6.  4th This is when the actual EMDR is utilized. The
therapist instructs the client to follow an object with
his eyes that moves from side to side. While the
client is following the object, he is told to identify a
thought, feeling, physical sensation, an image, a
memory, or a change in any one of the above. The
client is then to focus on this thought, and begins a
new set of eye movement. The therapist may ask
from time to time about the client’s level of distress.
(Client attends to the disturbing memory in multiple
brief sets of 15-30 secs)

7.  5th Therapist asks the client about the validity of
positive cognition. This is because after phase 4 the
client’s target image should have changed
dramatically.
 6th The client evaluation of pain, stress, or discomfort
within the body. Whether or not any of it is present,
the client is then asked to concentrate on that specific
pain. New sets of EMDR is issued.

8.  7th This is the debriefing stage where the therapist
gives appropriate information and support.
 8th Reevaluation of progress of the previous session.
The EDMR focuses on the past, present, and future
aspects of the dysfunctional stored memory

9.  Time Efficient: Processing even the most difficult
memories can be achieved in a fraction of the time
it would have taken with traditional therapy.
 EMDR allows patient to short-cut the process and
go right to the releasing stage.
 The positive, long-term results of EMDR therapy
affect all levels of the client's well-being (mental,
emotional and physical, so that their responses
return to normalcy and health).

10.  A temporary increase in distress
 Distress and unresolved memories may emerge
 Some clients may experience reactions during a
treatment session that neither the client nor the
therapist may have anticipated, including a high level
of emotional and physical sensation
 The processing of the incident may continue after
treatment and may present themselves in dreams,
memories, and feelings. However, there have been no
long term negative side effects reported in any data or
research thus far.

11.  Q: Is EMDR a one session cure?
A: EMDR is not a one session cure but the number of session
depends on the specific problem and client history. Repeated
controlled studies have shown that a single trauma can be
processed within three sessions in 80 to 90 percent of participants.
 Q: Can EMDR be used to treat children?
A: Yes, EMDR have been used in treating children with a variety
of conditions who have experienced trauma and complex trauma.
 Q: How many sessions with the therapist before the client
begins EMDR?
A: It depends on the client’s ability to self soothe and use a
variety of self control techniques to decrease potential
disturbance.

12.  Q: Will the patient live the trauma as intensely as before?
A: No, although there is a high level of intensity but it only lasts
for a few moments and then decreases rapidly.
 Q: Is EMDR the same as hypnosis?
A: No, Like psychoanalysis, EMDR is an evolving theory about
how information is perceived, stored, and retrieved in the human
brain and a specific treatment method is based on this theory.
EMDR does not involve relaxation whereas, hypnosis focuses on
relaxation first.

13.  EMDR is placed in the highest category of
effectiveness and research support in the treatment
of trauma, based on the evidence of controlled
research by both the practice guidelines of the APA
and the Department of Veterans Affairs and
Defense
 Two recent meta-analyses concluded that
traditional exposure therapy and EMDR have
equivalent effects both immediately after treatment
and at follow-up

14.  EMDR Institute Inc. (2004). Retrieved on
February 25, 2010.
Http://www.emdr.com/q&a.htm
 EMDR International Association. (N.D.).
Retrieved on February 25, 2010.
http://www.emdria.org
 EMDR Therapy. (1998). Retrieved on February
25, 2010. http://www.emdr-therapy.com

15.  Example of EMDR Video:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ5MLn1Cc94