EMDR Therapy: Making Space for Something New
I used to be skeptical of EMDR, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. It seemed too good to be true. I thought maybe it was a fad. Then I tried it myself. Not only is there a ton of research behind EMDR, but the proof is in the pudding. EMDR helped me calm my nervous system and put a terrifying incident in its place: in the past, as a memory— instead of as something that felt current. Once my skepticism was at bay, I could continue to learn about EMDR and how to use it to help clients with a wide variety of problems.
EMDR as a Psychodynamic Process
I realized something about EMDR that is not often discussed. Although EMDR is known for facilitating shifts in the mind more quickly than other approaches, what also piqued my interest is that in its essence, EMDR is psychodynamic. The process of EMDR helps move us past our psychological defenses. This helps us access unconscious material. In a sense, we are free associating in the EMDR process; when the therapist asks, “What are you noticing?” she is not expecting any particular response. The therapist is as surprised as you are when sometimes seemingly random images or thoughts arise.
Trusting the Mind
Although there is a protocol, or format, for EMDR therapy (in psychodynamic terms we might call this the “frame”), the process is organic and unscripted. The therapist needs to be flexible and nimble, and not have an agenda. I was trained by my mentors to trust that the psyche has its own wisdom, and it will offer up material as the ego is prepared to process it. Therefore, we trust the process and don’t try to control it. You may have noticed that trying to control everything is an exhausting and fruitless endeavor in any case!
Relax and Let Go
It is said in psychodynamic psychotherapy that after the session ends, the psyche continues to process. This is said in EMDR as well. Sometimes after an EMDR session, people report sleepiness. This makes sense, since the brain uses a lot of energy. There is also a connection between EMDR and dreams; we move our eyes rapidly side to side while in the REM (rapid eye movement) phase of the sleep cycle.
And sure enough, just like EMDR, REM sleep is associated with emotional processing and memory consolidation. In both EMDR and REM (dreaming) sleep, we bypass our psychological defenses and access uncensored, unvarnished, and unedited truths from the depths of our being. (In fact, it just occurred to me that the letters REM are in EMDR, and both then are in DREAM.) This helps us gain new perspectives because it allows us to stop thinking the same thoughts over and over. The result can be relaxation and relief, and sometimes insight or even a complete shift in how we are thinking and feeling about situations and people in our lives.
EMDR and Neuroplasticity
One of the most interesting moments in an EMDR session is when the client draws a blank, or says they are noticing “nothing,” or reports feeling generally puzzled. This indicates to me that they are no longer thinking about the incident or issue in the same way. They have hopped off one superhighway in the brain, but aren’t finding a new road quite yet. But at least they are no longer traveling down that road that leads nowhere. At this stage the mind is open to learning something new. In my view, much of therapy is about unlearning unskillful ways of being and thinking, and learning something new about oneself, about life. It is about letting go of old assumptions and prejudices, and opening to something better. EMDR is one way to do this; every EMDR session does not need to be revolutionary or life-changing, but it will most likely at lease loosen your mind’s grip on something that you’re ready to let go of.