EMDR Therapy Overview

Introduction

• Speaker: Dr. Scott Jamui, Director and Founder of the Phoenix Center for Experiential Trauma Therapy
• Location: Media, Pennsylvania
• Certifications: Certified EMDR Consultant
• Topics: Overview of EMDR, how it works, expectations for participants and professionals, suitability for clients

What is EMDR?

• Full Form: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy
• Purpose: Gold standard treatment for trauma and PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
• Founding: Developed by Francine Shapiro from an accidental realization during a walk in the park
• Discovery: Rapid eye movements while remembering disturbing memories reduce emotional disturbance
• Research: Highly researched and proven effective, especially for PTSD
• Primary Use: Trauma and PTSD; also effective for a variety of issues

How EMDR Works

• Mechanism: Mimics brain processing during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep
• Belief: Back and forth eye movements activate memory processing mechanisms
• Process: Short memory chunks to prevent overwhelming the brain
• Method: Starting with the most disturbing part of the memory, allowing free association
• Bilateral Stimulation: Eye movements, auditory bilateral stimulation, or tactile back-and-forth tapping

Theories Behind EMDR

• Dual Awareness: Awareness of both the memory and the current safe environment helps desensitize the memory
• Fragmented Memories: Traumatic memories are stored abnormally and need to be processed and integrated
• Adaptive Information Processing (AIP): Connecting traumatic memory with adaptive information in the brain

EMDR Process

1. Preparation: Building Therapeutic Relationship
   • Initial assessment, ensuring fit for EMDR
   • Ensuring client's stability, resources, and social support
2. Resourcing: Establishing positive memories and coping skills
   • Safe place, calming memories, positive figures (e.g., Dumbledore from Harry Potter)
   • EMDR resourcing can be healing and reduce PTSD symptoms
3. Identifying Target Memories: Traumatic memory networks and specific memories
4. Processing Sessions: Structured Approach
   • Focusing on the worst part first, then allowing short associations
   • Asking the client to notice experiences during short intervals
   • Regularly checking distress levels and moving towards zero disturbance
   • Integrating positive beliefs and conducting a body scan

Three-Pronged Approach

1. Past: Addressing touchstone memories and working forward chronologically
2. Present: Desensitizing present-day triggers
3. Future: Creating templates for ideal responses to future triggers

effectiveness of EMDR

• Single Incident Trauma: Highly effective, leading to a complete reduction of PTSD symptoms in a few sessions
• Complex Trauma: Effective but takes longer due to multiple traumatic experiences
• Other Uses: Anxiety, depression, traumatic loss, grief, panic attacks, chronic pain, performance-related issues

Practical Advice

• Professional Guidance: Do not attempt EMDR on yourself; seek a trained professional
• Resources: More information available at emdria.org
• Phoenix Center: Available for EMDR therapy, offering sliding scale and low-cost options through internships
• Contact Information:
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Intake Number: 484-441-9416
  • Website: emdria.org for finding local EMDR therapists

Closing

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