Practice of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
A session of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing typically lasts from 1 to 1.5 hours. Attending sessions at least once every week is recommended. In some cases, EMDR is offered at pain rehab facilities, or trauma treatment centers. Other trauma therapy types are also available at these treatment facilities. Everyone responds differently to EMDR treatment, some find healing in as little as one session, while others need to attend sessions long-term in order to see results. 3 sessions however, is the average amount of time in which a person begins to see how they will respond to eye movement desensitization and reprocessing.
There are 8 steps associated with EMDR treatment. Beginning steps involve understanding the history of the patient and preparing them for therapy. This involves building trust among the clinician and patient as well as teaching the patient more about the upcoming treatment. Determining a schedule is also an important step in treatment and allows the patient to feel more comfortable with what takes place. In the assessment phase (another part of the 8 step process), memories are chosen and a specific picture from the mind which symbolizes each memory is selected. A type of emotion used to describe feelings regarding the memory is also determined in this step.
Most of the steps in the 8 step process are associated with the actual EMDR treatment. Treatment involves concentration on certain memories and their related pictures while at the same time concentrating on the pattern of the clinician’s fingers and following it with the eyes. This may be performed for up to 30 seconds at a time. While this process may be difficult, it allows deeper mental concentration in response to chosen memories. In many cases, the clinician also teaches the patient ways to cope with their feelings if they become too overwhelmed.
This process is very beneficial to those in need of trauma assistance or depression treatment at a depression treatment facility as it can relieve overwhelming anxiety caused by past trauma. Eye movement desensitization treatment also allows the patient to talk over progress made in the treatment with the clinician after each session. This therapeutic session may be especially helpful to those with PTSD or depression.
Benefits of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
Benefits of EMDR include the elimination or reduced intensity of the following problems:
- Post traumatic stress disorder
- Nightmares
- Pain from injury or disease
- Schizophrenia
- Anxiety
- Eating disorders which may require eating disorder treatment
- Phobias
- Drug and alcohol abuse which may require drug rehab
- Stress
- Attachment disorder
- Panic attacks
- Insomnia
- Traumatic memories
- Depression
A variety of people with mental disorders not listed above may also be helped by eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy. This trauma therapy type may also have a positive effect on athletes and musicians, improving overall performance as well as reducing stage fright or extreme anxiety.
The ultimate goal of EMDR treatment is to turn negative memories or feelings into positive memories and find strength through the deep thought process involved. After the patient and clinician feel this goal has been accomplished, each memory is tested and brought back up to determine whether complete progress has been made. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing treatment is finished when a person no longer experiences negative emotions or tension in the body in response to specific memories. This type of trauma treatment has been proven effective for a number of people and is often offered as a form of depression treatment or pain rehab at a number of trauma treatment centers.