The following is the transcript of an article that appeared in the Mountain Mail Newspaper.

“What is EMDR and is it an effective therapeutic treatment for trauma, phobias, anxiety and depression?”

One day in 1987, psychologist Francine Shapiro was walking through a park when a particular memory disturbed her. However, as she continued walking along and moved her eyes in a certain rhythmical pattern that emulates rapid eye movement during sleep, the memory ceased to agitate her as much, and the emotions and alarming thoughts began to dissipate. Based on these initial observations she conducted further research and eventually structured an “Adaptive Information Processing“ model that incorporated a structured psychotherapeutic protocol utilizing interventions from a number of psychological disciplines. She published a paper in 1989 describing beneficial results in a number of case studies, and in short order, dozens of research studies began to study and refine the protocol. This was the birth of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) which has now been utilized by over a million clients around the world to treat such syndromes as phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, generalized anxiety disorder, phobias, panic disorders, performance anxiety, dissociative disorders, body dysmorphic disorder, and personality disorders.

EMDR has evolved to utilize a number of different possible types of rhythmic bi-lateral stimulation methods (including auditory and/or tactile means) that help process and mollify the disturbing thoughts, emotions, beliefs, sensations, and habitual patterned and reactive sequelae resulting from traumatic or overwhelming experiences. Shapiro theorizes that stimulating the brain in certain bilateral patterns switches on the brain’s information processing system on a deeper level.

So when one goes to an EMDR psychotherapist, what actually happens?

First, the client describes the elements of the symptoms, experiences and/or memories that disturb him or her, and the therapist helps the client ferret out distressing belief systems about the experience and how they affect the client’s emotional and physical states.

Then the EMDR therapist works with the client and asks him/her to actually revisit the traumatic memory, recalling feelings, thoughts and body sensations associated with the experience. The therapist begins the bi-lateral stimulation, often using a special auditory or tactile stimulating machine. As the client receives the bi-lateral stimulation and focuses on the memory, processing of the memory begins. Sometimes images, thoughts, sensations associated with the traumatic incident arise during the therapy session, they are processed by the bi-lateral stimulation, often resulting in painful feelings being exchanged for more resolved peaceful feelings.

So, does EMDR cure anxieties and phobias in one session?

No, this is not a claim the EMDRIA (the umbrella organization of EMDR) makes. However, two research studies have indicated an elimination of diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder in 83-90% of civilian participants after four to seven sessions. The only study of combat veterans to address the multiple traumas of this group reported that 12 sessions of treatment resulted in a 77% elimination of PTSD.

Are the treatment effects maintained over time?

Different long-term (longitudinal) studies have been conducted using 3, 4, 9, 15 months and 5 years for post-treatment assessment of the effects of the EMDR sessions. The literature states that “treatment effects were maintained in eight of the nine studies.”

In my practice I have found that EMDR is not a cure-all for everyone—it is doubtful that any psychotherapeutic intervention will ever fit that description. However, it is a simple alternative method for treating anxiety, depression, phobias and PTSD that can prove efficacious for many people.