Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Introduction to EMDR: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pkfln-ZtWeY

EMDR was developed by Psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1987, and is internationally recognized and supported as a treatment for trauma. EMDR is a three pronged approach based on the idea that challenging emotions, thoughts, memories, behaviours and are rooted in past experiences. EMDR Therapy addresses early childhood experiences, addresses presents stressors, and challenges anticipated future challenges. 

I completed my EMDR basic training in April 2025 because as a therapist and a client receiving my own therapy I believe in the benefits of EMDR as treatment for trauma. EMDR combined with a person-centered approach and added modalities of dialectic behaviour therapy, mindfulness, express arts, and polyvagal theory can produce the most comprehensive, profound, validating, self-esteem boosting, trauma resolving results for achieving overall mental health and post-traumatic growth. 

EMDR 8-Phase Protocol:

Please note the first two phases are typical of most therapy approaches
Phase 3-8 are what distinguishes EMDR therapy from other modalities.

1. Client history: readiness, safety factors (level of rapport, emotional disturbance, stability, life supports, general physical health, shutdown strategies, calming strategies, timing, medication needs, dissociative disorders), treatment planning, history-taking transcript.
   
2. Preparation: form a solid therapy/client bond, teach/enhance calming skills, help clients befriend their nervous system, learn the difference between shutdown and calm, learn and/or enhance new ways to create safety and security, create internal stability (“parts work”), describe the model, set expectations, address client fears and test preferred bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, sounds).
   
3. Assessment: select the memory, identify the negative cognition, develop a positive cognition, identify the emotion, estimate the disturbance, identify body sensations.
   
4. Desensitization/Removal of disturbance: during this phase it is necessary to process the dysfunctional stored memory that lives in various memory channels associated with the targeted event. Reprocessing memories/experiences in EMDR therapy has some very positive by-products including restructuring negative beliefs (I am unworthy of love…), naturally occurring insights (I am worthy of love just as I am) and a more adaptive understanding of the targeted event.
   
5. Installation: Concentrates primarily on the full integration (body, mind, spirit) of newer positive beliefs specifically linked with the original target issue/event.
   
6. Body Scan: targets any remaining disturbance that may be stored in the body
   
7. Closure: use of visualization, calming skills cultivated in phase 2, safety assessment, and debriefing to ensure the client does not leave the session in a high level of disturbance.
   
8. Re-evaluation and Use of the EMDR Three-Pronged Protocol Approach: assesses if the target has been completely resolved that any associated material that might have been activated is addressed, that all necessary targets have been reprocessed to allow the client to feel at peace with the past, empowered in the present and able to make more desirable choices for the future.