Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, or EMDR, has existed since the 1980's. Our understanding of EMDR has shifted from "Does EMDR really work?" to "How does it work?"
The brain is a complicated yet wonderful piece of equipment. Our knowledge of it constantly evolves as new information and research are discovered. It can feel complex trying to sort through the many puzzle pieces of our brain. Then, when you add in our experiences, emotions, and behaviors, it can feel like a complete mystery.
The purpose of this post is to begin unraveling some of this mystery to better understand how EMDR works in the brain.
How Does EMDR Work?
How The Brain Processes Memories
We'll start by talking about how the brain processes memories. When we sleep at night, our bodies enter a sleep stage called REM, which stands for rapid eye movement. During this sleep cycle, the brain naturally processes memories and dreams. As we dream and process memories, our eyes dart back and forth rapidly.
After a traumatic experience, the brain has trouble processing the memory of the experience. During the painful experience, our brains commonly try to protect us by blocking out certain aspects. We still experience it, but later, as we try to recall details of it, it feels hazy or uncertain.
The Role Of the Right and Left Hemispheres
The right side of the brain is associated with emotions, creativity, and how things are connected, to name a few. It has a really firm understanding of the bigger picture.
On the other hand, the left side of the brain is most associated with logic and chunks larger information pieces into smaller bite-size ones. While they are polar opposites, the right and left hemispheres help balance each other.
The right and left hemispheres must also work together to process trauma fully. Essentially, pathways connect the two hemispheres, and unprocessed memories can become trapped in these pathways.
Bilateral Eye Movements
We mentioned earlier that the eyes move rapidly back and forth when we dream. You can think of this as your brain processing information back and forth from the right and left hemispheres.
Here is where we can begin talking about EMDR, specifically.
In EMDR sessions, a therapist uses this principle knowledge of what happens during this sleep state. Using guided hand movements, the clinician will ask their client to recall the painful memory as their eyes follow the hand, or utilize hand buzzers to stimulate the brain. This stimulates the right and left hemispheres to begin "looking" at the trapped memory in the pathways between them. Before, neither side was able to see these entrapments fully.
It goes beyond this, though. EMDR not only allows these pathways to be fully seen by both sides, but it also gives the brain a chance to heal from the painful experience.
Most people believe that once the brain is done developing as a young adult, it can no longer change. While one might be able to learn new information or lose it, the brain won't change that much overall. This is actually not accurate.
Neuroplasticity is a word that describes how the brain creates new pathways. EMDR, by encouraging each hemisphere to see the old pathways will encourage the brain to form new ones. So, while the blocked pathways are being repaired, new pathways are created that help to shift someone's negative reactions and beliefs to more positive ones.
This does not mean that EMDR forces someone to just accept and move on from trauma. Instead, it just rewires everything.
Eight phases are part of EMDR therapy. In general, it can last anywhere from eight to twenty sessions, depending on the individual person. While it is not a quick overnight process, healing from trauma will go faster in EMDR therapy than it would in traditional talk therapy.
If you are interested in finding out if EMDR therapy or an EMDR intensive is right for you, feel free to contact me when you are ready.