Takeaway: Trauma often changes how a person thinks, feels, and views the world. Thankfully, it is possible to heal. As an evidence-based treatment, EMDR therapy in Toronto can help you reprocess traumatic memories and feel better in your day-to-day life. Our specialists are here to create a safe space for you to recover and will guide you through the entire process. Reach out today to get started.
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a form of psychotherapy that was developed to help individuals who are struggling with the effects of traumatic experiences, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It was originally developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s and has since gained widespread recognition as an effective treatment for trauma-related disorders.
According to the EMDR International Association (www.emdria.org), EMDR therapy incorporates bilateral stimulation, which typically involves the EMDR therapist moving their fingers back and forth in front of the individual’s eyes or using alternating sounds. EMDR therapy has been found to be effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD and other trauma-related disorders, although it may not be equally effective for everyone.
It’s important to note that EMDR therapy should be conducted by a licensed mental health professionals who is experienced in trauma therapy and has received specialized training in EMDR psychotherapy. Additionally, a strong therapeutic relationship between the client and therapist is critical to the success of any treatment plan.
The EMDR therapy process typically involves eight phases designed to help individuals process and heal from trauma and associated distress. Here is an overview of each phase:
The therapist gathers information about the client’s history, trauma experiences, and current symptoms. This phase helps the therapist tailor the treatment plan to the individual’s needs.
The therapist explains the EMDR process to the individual, including how it works and what to expect. Coping strategies are introduced to help the individual manage any emotional distress that might arise during the therapy sessions. This stage is often partnered with dialectical behavioural therapy.
The individual identifies a specific traumatic memory to target. This memory should be distressing but manageable enough to work on during therapy. The individual then identifies negative beliefs associated with the memory (e.g., “I am not safe”) and positive beliefs they would like to replace them with (e.g., “I can protect myself”).
In this phase, the individual focuses on the chosen traumatic memory while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation. The goal is to process the memory and reduce its emotional charge. Throughout this phase the individual reports their thoughts, emotions, and sensations during each set.
Positive beliefs identified earlier are emphasized during this phase. The therapist helps the individual strengthen their positive beliefs while they continue to engage in bilateral eye movements. This aims to replace the negative beliefs associated with the traumatic memory.
The individual is guided to identify any remaining tension or physical sensations in their body related to the targeted memory. These sensations are then processed using bilateral eye movements, helping to release any lingering distress.
At the end of each session, the therapist ensures that the individual is stable and that any heightened emotions have subsided. Relaxation techniques and coping strategies are taught to help the individual manage any distress that might continue after the session.
In subsequent sessions, the therapist assesses the individual’s progress. If needed, the process is repeated for other target memories or aspects of the trauma. As the person’s symptoms improve, the focus might shift to addressing any residual issues or ongoing life challenges.
Throughout the process, the goal is to help the individual reprocess traumatic memories, change negative beliefs, rebuild the mind body connection, and integrate the experiences into their life in a healthier way. The number of sessions required can vary depending on the severity of the trauma and the individual’s response to treatment.
At The Therapy Centre, we have clinicians who use EMDR therapy to treatment a number of problems such as depression, anxiety, grief, loss, trauma, chronic illness, chronic pain, and sleep disturbances. Our clinicians are trained in various therapeutic modalities to provide you with an integrative approach to address your needs. We offer a compassionate space where treatment is tailored to the unique circumstances and needs of your situation using evidence based therapy approaches.
EMDR therapy was initially developed to treat PTSD, and has been recommended by the World Health Organization as “a way to help people reduce vivid, unwanted, repeated recollections of traumatic events.” Over time, it has also been found to be effective in addressing a range of mental health issues that have roots in traumatic experiences or distressing memories. Some of the issues that can be addressed through EMDR include:
EMDR therapy is widely recognized as an effective treatment for PTSD. It helps individuals process traumatic memories, reduce the associated distress, and alleviate symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, and hyper-vigilance. Traumatic experiences like physical violence or sexual assault can lead to profound emotional and psychological distress. EMDR work can help survivors regain a sense of personal power and control over their lives by reframing their experience and emotions.
EMDR has been used when treating anxiety, including panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and specific phobias. If anxiety symptoms are linked to distressing memories or events, EMDR might be useful.
EMDR may be helpful for individuals with depression that is linked to a traumatic event. By addressing and processing the underlying trauma, it’s possible to alleviate some of the depressive symptoms.
EMDR might be used to help individuals process aspects of grief and loss, especially when the loss was sudden, unexpected, or accompanied by distressing memories.
Other issues that may be addressed by this specific psychotherapy method include phobias and fears, performance anxiety, low self esteem, relationship issues, and attachment trauma. It’s important to note that while EMDR can be effective for these issues, it might not be the best fit for everyone. If you are interesting in EMDR therapy, you should work collaboratively with a trained mental health professional to determine whether EMDR is appropriate and likely to be effective.
EMDR therapy offers several potential benefits for individuals who are struggling with trauma-related issues or distressing memories. Here are some of the key benefits of EMDR:
EMDR is often praised for its relatively quick results compared to some other therapeutic approaches. Many individuals experience significant improvements in their symptoms within a relatively short period of time.
EMDR aims to reduce the emotional distress associated with trauma. By processing these memories and changing the negative thoughts attached to them, individuals often report feeling less overwhelmed by their emotions. People with trauma-related disorders often engage in avoidance behaviours to prevent triggering disturbing memories. EMDR can help reduce these avoidance patterns, allowing individuals to confront and process their emotions more effectively.
EMDR therapy helps individuals reframe their traumatic experiences and develop a sense of mastery and control over their thoughts and emotions. This can lead to a decrease in low self esteem, and increased feelings of empowerment and self-efficacy.
Additional benefits of EMDR can include reduced reliance on medication, and long-lasting changes in how individuals process and respond to distressing memories. Many people find that the benefits of EMDR persist even after therapy has concluded.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is just one of many therapy tools that can be helpful when dealing with trauma. Here are a few frequently asked questions about EMDR therapy that may help you decide if it could be right for you during your healing process. If you have further questions, please reach out to our team at The Therapy Centre to schedule an initial assessment with one of our trained clinicians. New clients are welcome.
Deciding between EMDR therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) depends on your specific needs, symptoms, and preferences. Both approaches are effective for addressing various mental health issues, but they have different focuses and methods. Consider EMDR if you are experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other trauma-related issues, such as intrusive memories, nightmares, flashbacks, and emotional distress linked to specific traumatic events.
You may want to consider CBT if your symptoms are largely characterized by negative thought patterns, low self esteem, anxiety, distorted thinking, and maladaptive behaviours, and you wish to focus on learning practical skills and strategies for managing these issues. In some cases, both might be useful, such as if you have trauma-related symptoms but also struggle with generalized anxiety or depression. A therapist might integrate elements of both approaches into your treatment plan.
While some individuals might experience substantial improvement within a few sessions, it’s important to approach EMDR with the understanding that healing from trauma is a unique and individual process. Typically, EMDR is conducted over a series of sessions, ranging from several sessions to several months. A common range might be around 6 to 12 sessions, but this can vary widely.
EMDR treatment is not suitable for everyone and might not be the best approach for certain individuals or conditions. Some situations in which EMDR might not be suitable include lack of emotional stability, untreated substance use issues, cognitive impairment, unresolved safety issues, lack of readiness, complex psychiatric conditions, limited emotional regulation skills, preference for other therapies, or medical or physical concerns.
If you or someone you know is struggling with trauma-related symptoms, consider seeking guidance from a qualified therapist or mental health provider.
The Therapy Centre is a full-service private practice that works with children, teens, adults, seniors, couples and families to help address issues that could be holding you back from living your best life. We are comprised of dedicated mental health clinicians with extensive training including psychologists, registered social workers, psychotherapists, and a dietitian.
Our offices are located across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area, at 2525 Old Bronte Road in Oakville, 849 Upper Wentworth Street in Hamilton, and a NEW location in Toronto at 1849 Yonge St (Yonge and Davisville). We offer both in-person and Virtual Telehealth services including secure phone sessions and videoconferencing.
Reach out to our team today at (289) 291-0205 or info@thetherapycentre.ca.