EMDR and Its Use in Trauma Recovery
What is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement and Desensitization Reprocessing. It was me a tool for me to work through my PTSD. During treatment I had to recall an emotionally disturbing memory while simultaneously focusing on moving your eyes and following an object. For myself my therapist had me follow her fingers with my eyes while I was recalling and visualizing an emotionally disturbing memory. During this time, she had me to rate various emotions that are connected to the memory. We also noted where I felt the trauma in my body. I worked on relaxing that body part and focusing on “my happy place”. She had me reevaluated the emotions connected to the memory. My distress went down, my body eventually relaxed and the memory became far away. It was like I was looking through a window, across a field at the memory.
Who Can EMDR Help?
EMDR is useful for PTSD, anxiety and depression. EMDR is used with Veterans, First Responders, Rape Survivors, Childhood Trauma Survivors and those who have experienced anything that has caused them a great deal of stress (natural disasters etc…).
How EMDR Helped Me
EMDR was very successful for me. I could take some of my worst memories and detach the negative emotions that occurred around that memory. Once the session was over, I was extreme fatigue. It was a lot of brain work and my body needed rest. I had eight intense sessions. I believe it was this work that allowed me to be brave and take back the control that I lost. It helped to diminish the fear that encompassed everything. I have to admit that in the beginning it felt weird to me. How could following the therapists finger help me to heal my trauma. I learned quickly that this was helping me and it was helping to make new pathways in my brain.
Where to Find a Qualified Therapist
In Ontario, Canada, Psychology today has a listing of therapist with their qualifications. If your workplace has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), you can ask if they have a therapist with EMDR qualifications. Finding the right fit is important. If you don’t feel comfortable with your therapist, then ask for someone else. Working through trauma is important and hard work. You want to be able to open up about what happened with someone who can help your process the trauma.