Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
for
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
EMDR is a gold-standard, evidence-based treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related concerns. It is designed to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories that remain “stuck,” allowing them to be integrated in a way that no longer triggers overwhelming emotional or physiological responses.
​
Many people with trauma know the event is over, yet still feel as though their body reacts as if it is happening again. EMDR helps reduce the intensity of trauma-related memories so they no longer control daily life.
​
PTSD is characterized by having been exposed to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. One may have directly experienced an event, witnessed it, heard about it happening, or been exposed to aversive details.
In response to the event, four types of symptoms typically emerge:
-
Intrusive (i.e., flashbacks, nightmares)
-
Avoidance of related stimuli or memories
-
Negative effects to mood
-
Hypervigilance, impulsivity, or outbursts
These symptoms typically result in a significant detriment to one's work or school performance, self-care, relationships, and general quality of life.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
What is EMDR and How Does it Work?
EMDR is one of the three gold-standard evidence-based treatments for PTSD (the other two are Prolonged Exposure and CPT). EMDR is a structured, trauma-focused therapy that uses bilateral sensory stimulation (such as eye movements or tapping) to help the brain process traumatic memories in a more adaptive way and desensitize to triggers.
​
EMDR therapy consists of eight phases:
1. History and Treatment Planning
2. Preparation
3. Assessment
4. Desensitization
5. Installation
6. The Body Scan
7. Closure
8. Reevaluation
​
In the active bilateral phases of treatment (phases 4, 5, and 6), the therapist encourages the client to briefly focus on a specific memory, image, thought, or aspect of their emotional experience while experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movement, physical somatic "tapping," or tactile "buzzers"). With the guidance of a trained EMDR therapist, this process is repeated as needed until underlying causes of mental health symptoms have been processed completely.
​
In EMDR, processing means accessing the brain's inherent abilities to store difficult past experiences in a way that doesn't cause ongoing harm. EMDR allows you to internalize adaptive lessons, discard unhelpful messages, and experience a release of emotions and body sensations. Successful EMDR therapy can leave you with a healthier perspective that allows for freedom from unresolved burdens.
How Long Does EMDR Therapy Take?
A single EMDR processing session takes between 60-90 minutes, but the entire duration of treatment varies widely from person to person depending on how much content a client needs to work through.
In general, EMDR is considered an efficient and compassionate way to unpack trauma, because the client is NOT required to tell the story of their most difficult moments in extreme detail, as is sometimes required in other trauma treatment approaches.
​
Would I benefit from EMDR therapy?
EMDR was initially developed to support clients experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and ongoing research indicates positive outcomes for individuals struggling to manage anxiety, depression, and a range of other distressing life experiences.
​
This means EMDR therapy is a good fit for individuals grappling with a range of issues both related and unrelated to concrete traumatic experiences.
​
At Grey Havens Psychological Services, EMDR is provided by Maya Pitre LCSW. Maya completed EMDRIA-approved training in somatic-and-attachment-focused EMDR therapy, and has been utilizing this approach with clients since 2023. EMDR is offered as a distinct treatment option for individuals who may benefit from a less verbally intensive, more experiential approach to trauma recovery.​
​
More information about EMDR therapy is available on the EMDR International Association's website.