"EMDR": Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
Apr 4, 2013 17:54:50 GMT
sparklekaz likes this
Post by holistichealer on Apr 4, 2013 17:54:50 GMT
Another means of dialogue and visualization therapy that blends well with the need for emotional processing that comes up in a healing session, EMDR involves the use of eye movements to access issues and re-frame / reprogram / diminish them.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy developed by Francine Shapiro that emphasizes disturbing stored memories as the cause of psychopathology. EMDR is used for individuals who have been victimized by severe traumatic events and have not resolved these experiences. This psychotherapy is designed as an exposure therapy. According to Shapiro, when a traumatic or distressing experience occurs, it may overwhelm usual cognitive and neurological coping mechanisms. The memory and associated stimuli of the event are inadequately processed, and are dysfunctionally stored in an isolated memory network. The goal of EMDR therapy is to process these distressing memories, reducing their lingering influence and allowing clients to develop more adaptive coping mechanisms. EMDR incorporates aspects of many major orientations: psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, experiential, hypnotic and systems theory. This is done by having clients imagine certain events while following the therapist's hand movement. Stages of this process are explained later in this article. The use of EMDR was originally developed to treat adults suffering from PTSD, however, the use of EMDR has been implemented for children.
Approach
EMDR treatment consists of 8 phases and each phase has its precise intentions.
Phase I History and Treatment Planning
The therapist will conduct an initial evaluation of the client’s history and develop a general plan for treatment.
Phase II Preparation
During this phase the therapist discusses the methods and theory behind EMDR further in detail. He or she will also assess whether the client is ready or stable enough to begin delving deeper into the emotions. If need be the therapist will teach the client the coping skills necessary to advance further into the treatment plan. It is important that during this phase the client develop trust with the therapist. The client will also learn how to manage challenging feelings effectively when in between sessions.
Phase III Assessment
During phase III, the therapist will ask the client to visualize an image which represents the disturbing event. Along with it the client will describe a thought or negative cognition (NC) associated with the image. The client will be asked to develop a positive cognition (PC) to be associated with the same image that is desired in place of the negative one. The client is asked how strongly he or she believes in the negative and positive cognitions to be true. The client is also asked to identify where in the body he or she is sensing discomfort.
Phase IV Desensitization
At this time, when the client is focused on the negative cognition as well as the disturbing image together, the therapist begins the bilateral gestures and requests the client to follow the gestures with their eyes. This process continues until the client no longer feels as strongly about the negative cognition in conjuction with the image.
Phase V Installation
At this time the therapist will ask the client to focus on the positive cognition developed in phase III. The therapist will continue with the gestures and the client is to continue following with the eyes while focusing on the new and positive thought. When the client feels he or she is certain the positive cognition has replaced the negative cognition the istallation phase is complete.
Phase VI Body Scan
At this phase the goal of the therapist is to identify any uncomfortable sensations that could be lingering in the body. While thinking about the originally disturbing event, the client is asked to scan over his or her body entirely searching for tension or other physical discomfort. Any negative sensations are targeted and then diminished using the same bilateral stimulation technique from phases IV and V. The EMDR network has asserted that positive congnitions should be incorporated physically as well as intellectually. Phase VI is considered complete when the client is able to think and speak about the event without feeling any physical or emotional discomfort.
Phase VII Closure
Naturally, not all traumatic events will be resolved completely within the timeframe allotted. In this case the therapist will guide the client through relaxation techniques that are designed to bring about emotional stability and tranquility. The client will also be able to use these same techniques for experiences that might arise in between sessions such as, strong emotions, unwanted imagery, and dismal thoughts. The client may be encouraged to keep a journal of these experiences, allowing for easy recall and processing during the next session.
Phase VIII Reevaluation
With every new session the therapist will reevaluate the work done in the prior session. The therapist will also assess how well the client managed on his or her own in between visits. At this point the therapist will decide whether it is best to continue working on previous targets or continue onto newer ones.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy developed by Francine Shapiro that emphasizes disturbing stored memories as the cause of psychopathology. EMDR is used for individuals who have been victimized by severe traumatic events and have not resolved these experiences. This psychotherapy is designed as an exposure therapy. According to Shapiro, when a traumatic or distressing experience occurs, it may overwhelm usual cognitive and neurological coping mechanisms. The memory and associated stimuli of the event are inadequately processed, and are dysfunctionally stored in an isolated memory network. The goal of EMDR therapy is to process these distressing memories, reducing their lingering influence and allowing clients to develop more adaptive coping mechanisms. EMDR incorporates aspects of many major orientations: psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, experiential, hypnotic and systems theory. This is done by having clients imagine certain events while following the therapist's hand movement. Stages of this process are explained later in this article. The use of EMDR was originally developed to treat adults suffering from PTSD, however, the use of EMDR has been implemented for children.
Approach
EMDR treatment consists of 8 phases and each phase has its precise intentions.
Phase I History and Treatment Planning
The therapist will conduct an initial evaluation of the client’s history and develop a general plan for treatment.
Phase II Preparation
During this phase the therapist discusses the methods and theory behind EMDR further in detail. He or she will also assess whether the client is ready or stable enough to begin delving deeper into the emotions. If need be the therapist will teach the client the coping skills necessary to advance further into the treatment plan. It is important that during this phase the client develop trust with the therapist. The client will also learn how to manage challenging feelings effectively when in between sessions.
Phase III Assessment
During phase III, the therapist will ask the client to visualize an image which represents the disturbing event. Along with it the client will describe a thought or negative cognition (NC) associated with the image. The client will be asked to develop a positive cognition (PC) to be associated with the same image that is desired in place of the negative one. The client is asked how strongly he or she believes in the negative and positive cognitions to be true. The client is also asked to identify where in the body he or she is sensing discomfort.
Phase IV Desensitization
At this time, when the client is focused on the negative cognition as well as the disturbing image together, the therapist begins the bilateral gestures and requests the client to follow the gestures with their eyes. This process continues until the client no longer feels as strongly about the negative cognition in conjuction with the image.
Phase V Installation
At this time the therapist will ask the client to focus on the positive cognition developed in phase III. The therapist will continue with the gestures and the client is to continue following with the eyes while focusing on the new and positive thought. When the client feels he or she is certain the positive cognition has replaced the negative cognition the istallation phase is complete.
Phase VI Body Scan
At this phase the goal of the therapist is to identify any uncomfortable sensations that could be lingering in the body. While thinking about the originally disturbing event, the client is asked to scan over his or her body entirely searching for tension or other physical discomfort. Any negative sensations are targeted and then diminished using the same bilateral stimulation technique from phases IV and V. The EMDR network has asserted that positive congnitions should be incorporated physically as well as intellectually. Phase VI is considered complete when the client is able to think and speak about the event without feeling any physical or emotional discomfort.
Phase VII Closure
Naturally, not all traumatic events will be resolved completely within the timeframe allotted. In this case the therapist will guide the client through relaxation techniques that are designed to bring about emotional stability and tranquility. The client will also be able to use these same techniques for experiences that might arise in between sessions such as, strong emotions, unwanted imagery, and dismal thoughts. The client may be encouraged to keep a journal of these experiences, allowing for easy recall and processing during the next session.
Phase VIII Reevaluation
With every new session the therapist will reevaluate the work done in the prior session. The therapist will also assess how well the client managed on his or her own in between visits. At this point the therapist will decide whether it is best to continue working on previous targets or continue onto newer ones.
