A therapist may choose to use Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for a variety of reasons when working with a client who has experienced trauma or is struggling with certain psychological issues. Here’s how and why a therapist might use EMDR therapy:
How EMDR Therapy is Used:
- Assessment: A therapist will begin by conducting a thorough assessment to determine if EMDR therapy is appropriate for the client. This assessment involves understanding the client’s history, trauma experiences, and current symptoms.
- Treatment Planning: Based on the assessment, the therapist will create a treatment plan that outlines the specific issues to be addressed using EMDR. This may involve identifying target memories or distressing events.
- Bilateral Stimulation: During EMDR sessions, the therapist guides the client to focus on the target memory while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation. This can be achieved through eye movements (following the therapist’s hand movements), tactile stimulation (tapping), or auditory cues (headphones with alternating sounds). The client’s attention alternates between the traumatic memory and the external bilateral stimulation.
- Processing: The bilateral stimulation helps the client process the traumatic memory. This involves desensitizing the emotional charge associated with the memory, allowing the individual to reprocess it in a less distressing way.
- Cognitive Restructuring: EMDR incorporates techniques to replace negative beliefs and emotions associated with the trauma with more positive and adaptive ones. This can lead to a change in how the individual perceives themselves and their trauma.
- Integration: The goal of EMDR therapy is to integrate the traumatic memory into the individual’s life story in a way that reduces its impact on their daily functioning and overall well-being
Linda C J Turner
Emotional Trauma Therapist
Linda Turner, Emotional Trauma Therapist ✨
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