As a therapy, EMDR has been thrust into the spotlight after Prince Harry admitted it has been his preferred way to heal the trauma caused by his mum’s death. Ali Smith is a trained EMDR specialist (www.ali-smith.com) and uses the therapy to empower others to thrive after trauma, to build healthy relationships with themselves and others. Here she reveals seven things you didn’t know about EMDR:
Ali Smith
I recall the trips to the dentist a few years ago when my legs would tremble uncontrollably, making me feel ashamed and helpless. I remember the interrupted sleep patterns, the nightmares, and the flashbacks. I suffered from PTSD for years after experiencing a series of traumatic events, including a terrorist attack, the untimely death of my brother, and the suicide of my best friend. I tried various types of talk therapies, none of which were able to help me to resolve my anxiety. Eventually, I stumbled across EMDR and experienced instant relief from my symptoms. The results were so profound that I decided to train as an EMDR therapist to help people recover from their own PTSD.
So, what makes EMDR stand out as a unique treatment for resolving the symptoms of PTSD?
1) Dr. Francine Shapiro discovered EMDR in 1987 during a walk in the park. She noticed that her upsetting emotions and thoughts suddenly disappeared when she began to move her eyes back and forth. Now the treatment is approved by the National Institute of clinical excellence in the UK as a suitable treatment method for PTSD.
2) Substantial research exists around the efficacy of EMDR, including 24 medical trials that highlight the positive effects of emotional trauma treatment. Some studies even suggest an 80% success rate in the resolution of symptoms.
3) EMDR does not rely on talk therapy. The client does not have to verbalise their experience. Instead, it utilises bilateral stimulation, which gets created by eye movements or tapping. The stimulation produces electrical activity in the brain, encouraging both sides of the brain to communicate better, allowing painful memories to be processed effectively.
4) It involves an 8 phase protocolized treatment approach. The initial phases involve preparing, assessing, and resourcing the client. Then during the desensitization phase, the client can recall the memory while tracking the therapist's hand movements.
5) When people are traumatised, the amygdala, commonly known as the fear centre in the brain, becomes enlarged while the hippocampus or rational side, shrinks. EMDR works to interrupt adverse neural pathways in the brain, which calms the fear response and softens emotional triggers
6) Clients report that the therapy removes the emotional charge from distressing memories. However, they are still able to recall the memory without the painful emotion once associated. Memories that once evoked anxiety, sadness, or anger become neutralised.
7) EMDR is effective as a treatment for PTSD, anxiety disorders, panic attacks, depression, addictions, unresolved grief, eating disorders, phobias such as fear of public speaking or performance anxiety
Not only does EMDR help the brain to process the memory effect, but it also changes negative beliefs that may be associated with the experience. For example, "I always mess things up "becomes "I always do my best with the resources I have available to me."
For more on Ali Smith – visit her website: www.ali-smith.com