Currently, one of the most universally endorsed modalities for PTSD is EMDR therapy. Whether you’ve tried other types of therapy or you’re new to the world of mental health, treating PTSD with EMDR has been proven to be both effective and safe.

Even though EMDR therapy has been thoroughly studied over the past 30 years, many people aren’t familiar with what it is or what to expect. But here at Gateway Counseling Center in Boynton Beach, we have over 100 years of combined experience with helping people treat all levels of PTSD.

That’s why I put together this blog on treating PTSD with EMDR. Below, you’ll find clear answers and explanations to help you decide if EMDR might be right for you.

What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR therapy, an acronym for “Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy,” is a modality that utilizes your brain’s natural mechanisms and natural ability to heal.

Treating PTSD with EMDR is possible thanks to this approach’s pairing of proven cognitive behavioral therapy techniques with somatic therapy.

How Does EMDR Therapy Specifically Target PTSD Symptoms?

EMDR therapy specifically targets PTSD symptoms by focusing on the human mind-body connection, rather than requiring you to talk at length about painful traumatic memories.

You see, EMDR focuses entirely on your brain’s memory centers, specific triggers or events, and the neurological associations you’ve made over time.

Unlike traditional talk therapy, you aren’t required to go into great detail about past events. The overall treatment is also much shorter—typically, six-week spans instead of months or years.

Here’s exactly what happens while treating PTSD with EMDR:

What Makes EMDR Different from Other PTSD Therapies?

EMDR is different from other PTSD therapies in that it targets your actual memories instead of your thoughts and feelings stemming from that trauma.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for PTSD is built around learning to manage your anger and gain insights into your emotions. The general idea is that by changing your thoughts related to the trauma, your emotions and reactions will also improve with time.

But with EMDR, you’re utilizing your innate neuroplasticity to truly rewire your brain.

You won’t have to actively remind yourself to “not get angry” in certain situations—with successful treatment, the anger will never materialize to begin with.

In fact, studies have shown that EMDR is typically more effective than other PTSD therapies like CBT.

The Phases of Treating PTSD with EMDR

EMDR therapy starts, like any other modality, with a discussion about your goals and needs in terms of treatment.

This includes details like the frequency of your sessions and which memories to prioritize. One recent study found that twice-weekly meetings over six weeks can deliver rapid results, but it’s ultimately up to you.

Once these decisions are made, treating PTSD with EMDR happens in eight specific phases.

Phase 1

You and your therapist map out the connections between the memory you’ve chosen to focus on, your present triggers, and fears about the future. If this becomes a triggering experience for you, your therapist may opt to start with Phase 2 and circle back to this.

Phase 2

This is a preparation phase where you practice coping strategies with support from your therapist. You’ll also review stabilization techniques and mindfulness exercises, which you can use during sessions or at any point in your day-to-day life.

Phase 3 – 7

You’ll take the past, present, and future focuses you identified in Phase 1 and, with your therapist’s help, decide which one to start with.

Your therapist will ask you to talk about whichever you choose, specifically the hardest or worst part, as well as your emotions, related negative beliefs, and body sensations at the present moment.

Simultaneously, your therapist engages what are called “dual attention stimuli,” (DAS for short) such as eye movements, audible sounds, or self-tapping.

Activating these difficult memories while experiencing DAS helps your mind to literally rewire and disconnect from the disturbing feelings that accompany the memory.

You and your therapist will work through each focus you identified in Phase 1 until each is completely and totally neutralized—meaning they no longer trigger you.

Phase 8

In this final phase, your therapist will take you through an overall assessment. The goal here is confirming the success of the EMDR treatment and ensuring your symptoms are truly, thoroughly resolved.

What Research Supports the Use of EMDR in Treating PTSD?

There is quite a bit of research supporting the use of EMDR in treating PTSD, such as:

• One study saw a 95% reduction in PTSD symptoms following EMDR therapy
• In another study, 45 – 93% of patients no longer met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD post-treatment
• Recent research shows EMDR typically leads to greater symptom reduction than prescribed medication
• A recent study found 90% of single-trauma patients no longer met PTSD diagnostic criteria after just three 90-minute sessions

And these are just a small selection. To date, there are over 30 years’ worth of studies and research demonstrating the incredible effectiveness of EMDR therapy for PTSD specifically.  

Thanks to its well-documented effectiveness, treating PTSD with EMDR is endorsed by many organizations including:

• The World Health Organization
• The American Psychiatric Association
• The US Department of Veterans Affairs
• The Department of Defense
• The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence

Treating PTSD with EMDR Can Change Your Life for Good

Quite often, when I speak with someone suffering from PTSD, they believe all they can do is shoulder the burden, soldier on, and suffer in silence. And I understand how a person can come to feel this way—especially when medication, talk therapy, and the other ‘standard’ treatments don’t make a difference.

I’m happy to inform you that you have another option. Within yourself is the power to uncouple these powerful emotions and reactions from their unavoidable triggers. This is called neuroplasticity, and you have this ability hardwired into your mind.

You just need to work with an experienced EMDR therapist to unlock it.Don’t let that nagging inner voice convince you that recovery isn’t possible. You deserve to enjoy the full richness life has to offer, and life is too short to wait any longer. I invite you to reach out and talk with us at Gateway Counseling in Boynton Beach about treating PTSD with EMDR.