The first phase is a session (s) that takes history. The therapist evaluates the client's readiness and develops a treatment plan. The client and therapist identify potential targets for EMDR processing. These include distressing memories and current situations that cause emotional distress.
Other objectives may include related incidents in the past. While the person doesn't have to go into detail about their disturbing memories, if the EMDR client doesn't trust their therapist, they may not accurately report what they are feeling and what changes they are experiencing (or not) during eye movements. The following scheme will allow the client to better understand what to expect when starting a standard EMDR treatment plan. EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) is a type of therapy that psychotherapists use to treat people who experience symptoms of PTSD due to trauma.
Eye movements are the most distinctive aspect of EMDR, but therapy involves several other therapeutic techniques, carried out through eight specific phases, and operating within past, present and future time frames. The therapist will explain the EMDR process in great detail so that the client is informed, relaxed and safe during treatment. In the second phase, the therapist will teach the client numerous techniques to relieve stress, including a “Safe Place” exercise, some mindfulness techniques, and other skills that will ensure the client's emotional and mental safety during EMDR sessions. EMDR therapy was originally designed to relieve symptoms associated with unhealthy processing of traumatic memories.
All eight phases contribute to the overall effect of EMDR therapy; however, not all phases can be used in an EMDR therapy session. EMDR enables people to reprocess traumatic memories, learn to cope with them in a healthy way, and dissociate any unnecessary emotions that cause difficulties in their daily lives. EMDR therapy can be used as part of a standard talk therapy, as an adjunct therapy with an independent therapist, or as a treatment on its own. As EMDR was found to have an immediate benefit, the therapist explained about EMDR and obtained consent to work with the therapy.
EMDR has been found to effectively treat anxiety and mood disorders, including depression and panic disorders. Therefore, an EMDR session is not considered successful until the client can show the original goal without feeling any bodily tension. While going through all of this may not seem pleasant at the time, in EMDR therapy the process often pays dividends due to the widespread healing effect that EMDR has when done correctly. Eye movements comprise only a small part of a larger process that EMDR experts, such as Francine Shapiro, have divided into eight different phases.
