EMDR Therapy Edmonton: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy
EMDR Therapy can help people process traumatic or distressing life experiences that continue to affect their emotional well-being. At Edgar Psychological, our trained EMDR therapists in Edmonton use Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing as part of an evidence-based, personalized approach to mental health care.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR incorporates a number of therapeutic approaches (e.g., cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness, psychodynamic therapy) to help you process difficult life experiences and improve your mental health. It involves the use of what is called bilateral stimulation, which is brought about via side-to-side (i.e., right-to-left) eye movement, tapping, or sometimes rhythmic sound.
It is believed that such stimulation mimics what the body does during the rapid eye movement (REM) sleep phase — the phase of sleep in which we process much information gathered and directly experienced during our waking hours. In this way EMDR is believed to help us desensitize and reprocess difficult life events and traumas, such that we reinterpret and in a sense recode the story or stories of our lives that cause us the most chronic distress.
No one is completely sure how this technique works as well and as quickly as it does, but it seems to do so in most people who try it.
What Can EMDR Therapy Help Treat?
Many people who’ve received EMDR treatment report very significant reductions in emotional distress having to do with reliving in their minds the most difficult of their past experiences. It has proven effective in reducing symptoms of dozens of psychological problems, including:
Complex trauma
Phobias
Panic attacks
Because EMDR draws from what has been proven to work in a number of older therapeutic modalities, it can easily be incorporated into most, if not all, therapy regimens.
How Does EMDR Therapy Help With Trauma and PTSD?
With the caring accompaniment of a therapist trained in EMDR, this kind of reprocessing of such painful and highly stressful memories can greatly reduce the emotional intensity with which we remember those painful events in future, and can help us feel more in control of ourselves and our destiny, and less likely to become overwhelmed by remembering what’s happened to us.
To take one common example of what this transformational process may effect, a full course of EMDR may greatly help a person move from a persistent, agonizing, and preoccupying belief about a painful past event (one you may or may not even have been previously aware of) such as, “I am unlovable” and reassign meaning to the experiences that gave rise to that belief that then have you reviewing these life events in an entirely different and much less painful way (e.g., thinking instead while remembering what happened, “I am worthy of love”).
Many find that this reduction in emotional pain frees them up to the extent that, not only are they suffering and preoccupied much less by traumatic memories and hurtful, repetitive messages to the self, but also that they can be more available in body and mind to new and much more nourishing and positive experiences that life may have to offer.
Interestingly, the success of EMDR treatment does not rely on you talking about the painful or traumatic event(s) that are being reprocessed. This means it can be a particularly helpful part of treatment for those who do not feel ready to talk about such experiences.
What to Expect During an EMDR Therapy Session
EMDR therapy follows a structured process, but your experience will be personalized based on your history, symptoms, goals, and comfort level. Your therapist will begin by learning about the experiences or concerns bringing you to therapy and helping you prepare for the processing portion of EMDR.
During EMDR processing, you may be asked to focus on a distressing memory, thought, emotion, or physical sensation while engaging in bilateral stimulation. This may involve guided side-to-side eye movements, alternating tapping, or rhythmic sounds.
As processing continues, different thoughts, feelings, memories, or physical sensations may arise. Your therapist will guide you through the process while helping you remain grounded and work at a pace that feels manageable.
One important aspect of EMDR is that you do not necessarily need to describe a traumatic experience in detail for processing to occur. This can make EMDR a helpful option for people who find it difficult or overwhelming to talk extensively about what happened.
EMDR treatment typically progresses through eight phases, including history-taking and treatment planning, preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation, body scan, closure, and reevaluation. Your therapist will help determine how these stages are approached based on your individual needs.
How Long Does EMDR Therapy Take?
The length of EMDR therapy varies from person to person. Some individuals may begin noticing changes within several sessions, while others may benefit from a longer course of treatment. Factors such as the nature and complexity of the experiences being addressed, your treatment goals, and how you respond to EMDR can all influence the length of therapy.
EMDR follows eight phases: history and treatment planning, preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation, body scan, closure, and reevaluation. Your therapist will work with you to move through these phases at an appropriate pace rather than setting a specific number of sessions in advance.
EMDR Psychologists in Edmonton
Many of our therapists in Edmonton have received training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy and can offer therapy based in this modality, such as:
If you’d like to book an appointment or learn more about EMDR Therapy, please contact us today.
Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR Therapy
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No. EMDR is well known for its use in treating trauma and PTSD, but it may also be incorporated into therapy for other concerns. Depending on your individual needs, an EMDR therapist may use this approach when working with anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, grief and loss, depression, complex trauma, and other distressing experiences or emotional patterns.
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You do not necessarily need to describe a traumatic or distressing experience in detail during EMDR. While your therapist will need enough information to understand what you would like to work on and develop an appropriate treatment plan, much of the processing can occur without extensively talking through the event itself.
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EMDR involves focusing on aspects of a distressing experience while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements or alternating tapping. Your therapist supports you throughout the process as thoughts, emotions, memories, or physical sensations arise and change.
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There is no set number of EMDR sessions that works for everyone. Treatment length depends on your history, goals, the experiences being addressed, and how you respond to therapy. Your therapist can provide more individualized guidance after learning about your needs.
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Yes. Edgar Psychological offers EMDR therapy in Edmonton with therapists who have training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. Our team can help you find an EMDR therapist whose experience and approach align with your needs.
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Finding the right therapist involves considering their training and experience as well as whether you feel comfortable with their approach. Edgar Psychological has several therapists trained in EMDR, allowing you to explore different practitioners and find someone who may be a good fit for your needs.