7 Pros and Cons of EMDR Therapy Explained by a Therapist
Takeaway: Like any other therapy, EMDR has pros and cons. In this post, we’ll cover both so you can get a better sense of whether this is the right treatment option for you.
If you've struggled with the emotional and psychological effects of a traumatic event, you may have heard about EMDR therapy. EMDR treatment is an evidence-based psychotherapy modality that can help individuals process and heal from past experiences.
Let's explore a comprehensive overview of EMDR therapy, including its potential benefits and drawbacks, to help you determine if a treatment plan involving EMDR might be a good fit for your healing journey.
Understanding EMDR therapy
Developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) offers a structured eight-phase approach to help people heal from past experiences in a safe and controlled setting.
EMDR is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and American Psychiatric Association as an effective treatment for PTSD and trauma.
EMDR can also benefit individuals experiencing a wide range of mental health symptoms and challenges, including patients suffering with: depression and trauma symptoms, negative beliefs about oneself, adverse life experiences, substance abuse, childhood trauma, eating disorders, panic attacks, acute stress disorder, phobias, OCD, and several other mental health conditions.
A key aspect of EMDR therapy is bilateral stimulation. This involves rhythmic back-and-forth movements, such as eye movements, hand tapping, holding a vibrating device in either hand, or auditory tones.
Bilateral stimulation in EMDR is believed to help lessen the emotional intensity associated with traumatic memories and negative thoughts.
The EMDR protocol is based on a three pronged approached:
Past experiences and traumatic memories are processed initially as they are driving the client's current symptoms
Present triggers that have not been resolved by addressing the traumatic events are addressed
Future Template
EMDR doesn't erase memories, but rather helps the brain process them in a new light. When treating PTSD, the goal is not to forget the trauma happened, it's to gain new insight and adaptive information to change the way a person feels and the beliefs about themselves in relation to the memory.
By revisiting traumatic memories in a controlled environment, such as an EMDR session, and integrating positive belief, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing empowers individuals to heal from the past and build a brighter future.
7 pros of EMDR therapy
In the aftermath of a traumatic experience, the emotional scars can linger long after the event itself. Flashbacks, nightmares, overwhelming anxiety, and unpleasant body sensations can become a constant companion, hindering our ability to live fulfilling lives.
Fortunately, EMDR therapy is one therapy available to help individuals heal from these wounds. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing offers a range of potential benefits for individuals struggling with the aftermath of traumatic memories.
Here's a closer look at some of the key advantages:
1. Effective Treatment for PTSD
Numerous studies have shown EMDR therapy to be an effective treatment for PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). World Health Organization recognizes it can significantly reduce symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, and emotional distress.
2. Faster Treatment Compared to Traditional Talk Therapy:
While traditional talk therapy can be incredibly helpful, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing can often yield results in a shorter timeframe. This is because EMDR directly targets the emotional core and negative associations of the memory rather than solely relying on retelling the experience in detail.
3. Long-Lasting Effects:
The positive effects of EMDR treatment can be long-lasting. Studies show that the reductions in PTSD symptoms achieved through EMDR are often maintained over time.
4. Addresses a Wide Range of Issues Beyond Trauma:
While EMDR treatment is most known as an effective therapy for treating trauma, it can also be beneficial for addressing other issues such as anxiety disorders, depression, phobias, eating disorders, panic disorder, and grief and other mental health concerns impacting a person's life and mental health.
5. Somatic Approach to Healing:
EMDR is a somatic-based therapy, meaning it incorporates body awareness and physical sensations into the healing journey. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals who find it difficult to express their emotions verbally or for whom traditional talk therapy hasn't yielded significant results. EMDR embraces the brain's natural capacity for healing, allowing for progress that might be inaccessible through solely cognitive approaches such as CBT, DBT, etc.
6. Empowers Individuals:
EMDR therapy equips individuals with coping skills, self control techniques for managing their emotional and physical sensations in response to past traumatic events. This empowers them to move forward in their lives with greater confidence, positive thoughts, and more compassion for self and others.
7. Doesn't Require Talking at Length or Reliving Trauma:
Eye movement desensitization is a therapy of the observation of self. It doesn't require you to talk about the details, remember all of the details, or verbalize much of the actual memory. Additionally, the goal is never to relive your trauma, and dual awareness (as opposed to hypnosis) is necessary for the treatment.
8. Intensive Treatment Option:
EMDR intensives offer the opportunity to condense the eight phases of treatment to heal from traumatic memories into a shorter timeframe compared to traditional weekly sessions. With a mental health professional, this can be particularly appealing for individuals seeking faster relief or who have scheduling limitations.
EMDR therapy offers a different and effective approach to healing from trauma.
With its structured eight-phase protocol, focus on emotional processing, and potential for lasting positive change, EMDR can empower individuals to reclaim control of their lives and build a brighter future.
If you're struggling with the aftermath of a traumatic memory, EMDR might be a valuable tool to consider on your journey towards healing.
Remember, consulting with a qualified mental health professional can help you determine if EMDR is the right fit for your specific needs and goals
5 cons of EMDR therapy
While the potential benefits are significant, it's important to consider EMDR from a balanced perspective.
This section will delve into some key drawbacks and considerations to keep in mind when evaluating if EMDR is the right fit for you.
By understanding both the pros and cons, you can make an informed decision alongside your therapist about the most effective approach to your healing journey.
Here are some considerations to discuss with a therapist in private practice or mental health agency to determine if Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is the right fit for you:
1. May Not Be for Everyone:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with severe mental health conditions or who haven't established a safe and trusting relationship with a therapist.
2. Can Bring Up Distressing Memories:
EMDR sessions can resurface distressing memories and emotions, negative thoughts, and psychological and physical symptoms, which can be uncomfortable. A skilled therapist who also prioritizes and focuses on preparation, will guide you through these experiences in a safe and supportive environment.
3. Research on Long-Term Effects:
While there are studies show long-term benefits, a systematic literature review and a large-scale randomized controlled trial is needed to fully understand the long-term impact of EMDR therapy as it is a relatively newer therapy in terms of research and long-term benefits.
4. Not a Cure-All:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy is one piece of the puzzle in healing from trauma. Other forms of therapy and self-care practices may also be necessary to heal from a traumatic experience.
5. Therapist Variable:
The effectiveness of Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy can be influenced by the therapist's experience and expertise. It's important to find a therapist who specializes in EMDR and has experience treating your specific type of trauma or mental health condition. Some EMDR-trained therapists may not be equipped to handle complex or severe cases.
While EMDR holds significant promise, it's important to approach it with realistic expectations.
There are potential drawbacks to consider, such as finding a therapist with the right experience and expertise for your specific situation, and the possibility of revisiting distressing memories during sessions.
Ultimately, EMDR is best viewed as a tool within a broader treatment plan that may also include other forms of therapy and self-care practices.
Remember, healing from trauma is a journey, and open communication with your therapist is crucial to ensure you're receiving the most comprehensive and effective support.
Addressing common misconceptions around EMDR therapy
EMDR has gained significant attention in recent years as an effective treatment. However, with any approach, questions and uncertainties can arise.
This section aims to shed light on some of the most common myths surrounding EMDR. We'll explore facts that separate truth from fiction, empowering you to make informed decisions about whether EMDR might be a valuable therapy option on your path to healing.
1. Myth: EMDR therapy erases memories.
Fact: It helps the brain integrate new information about the traumatic memory. This can include the knowledge that the person is safe now, they survived the event, and it wasn't their fault. This process allows individuals to move forward with a healthier perspective on the past traumatic experiences.
2. Myth: EMDR therapy requires reliving the trauma in detail.
Fact: EMDR therapy focuses on emotions and physical symptoms stemming from the memory, not necessarily reliving every detail. It's a therapy of observations, encouraging body scan and other forms of somatic awareness to heal. This is one reason it is a preferred treatment from post traumatic stress disorder.
3. Myth: EMDR works by helping you remember the past in full detail or recover forgotten memories of a traumatic event.
Fact: EMDR focuses on helping the brain process existing memories and store them in your brain in a more adaptive way. It can't unearth forgotten details or create entirely new ones.
4. Myth: EMDR therapy only involves rapid eye movements.
Fact: Bilateral stimulation (eye movements) is one technique used, but EMDR therapy involves eight phases including a body scan to identify physical sensations and psychological distress related to the memory. Many therapists are using a device called tappers, where the client can hold them in either hand. This eliminates eye strain or other side effects from eye movements.
5. Myth: EMDR therapy is a quick fix for trauma.
Fact: While EMDR can often yield results faster than traditional talk therapy, it's still a journey of healing. The number of sessions needed can vary depending on the complexity of the trauma and individual factors.
6. Myth: EMDR treatment is only reprocessing trauma.
Fact: Trauma is reprocessed during the desensitization phase (phase 4). This is just on phase of treatment. EMDR protocol involves thorough history taking, preparation and resourcing, assessment, processing, future planning, and re-evaluation of the trauma to improve outcomes and reduce distress during treatment.
7. Myth: EMDR trained is the same thing as a certified EMDR therapist.
Fact: A certified EMDR therapist (EMDRIA) has received further consultation and training in facilitating EMDR. To get certified, a therapist is required to seek an additional 20 hours of consultation, facilitate EMDR with many more clients, and receive additional CEU's. An EMDR trained therapist has completed the basic training course (and 10 hours of consultation required for completion of the course).
By clearing up these common misconceptions, we can empower individuals to make informed decisions about whether EMDR might be a helpful addition to their healing journey. It's important to remember that EMDR is can be helpful in healing, but it's not a one-size-fits-all solution.
Consulting with a qualified therapist who specializes in trauma treatment or you specific mental health concern can help you explore if EMDR aligns with your specific needs and goals.
Our EMDR therapists can help you find the deep healing you’ve been searching for.
At Restorative Integrations, our certified EMDR therapists (EMDRIA) are passionate about helping individuals heal from past trauma and live fulfilling lives with healthy relationships.
We understand that trauma can manifest in various ways, change the way you view yourself and the world.
We help you integrate new information so your brain, body, and nervous system can be on the same page (ie. I'm safe now and it wasn't my fault).
We tailor our approach to meet your unique mental health needs and desired positive outcomes, and common side effect is improvement in the quality of your relationships.
EMDR treatment can be a powerful tool for healing, but what's most important is for you to find a skilled therapist who you feel comfortable with.
We offer free consultations to discuss your situation and determine if EMDR therapy might be a good fit for you. We look forward to supporting you on your healing process.
