EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) also referred to as bilateral stimulation is a form of psychotherapy used to treat PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), a condition commonly found in combat survivors, survivors of violent crimes, persons suffering childhood trauma, victims of disasters, and accidents, as well as a plethora of other circumstances whereby a person is mentally scarred by a traumatic life event. EMDR is also being used to treat anxiety disorders, ADHD, among other psychological conditions.
The Techniques
There are numerous techniques used with tremendous success. Some use a buzzer held in each hand vibrating alternately left to right. Other techniques involve a light flashing left to right. A self induced technique involves crossing your hands, resting them on the shoulders, and then tapping each shoulder alternately. The following technique uses a low tone pulsing left to right with accompanying music. This technique is most effective through headphones for stereo separation.
How it works
While undergoing this process, the subject revisits the traumatic event mentally allowing the alternate sound pulses induce their effect. The process simulates a bio mechanism similar to REM (rapid eye movement), a naturally occurring phenomenon associated with the dream state while sleeping. Revisiting the traumatic event in the mind during EMDR therapy allows the mind to internally, and naturally heal itself. The mind in its natural state is a self healing entity under the right conditions. EMDR assists the healing process without the need for medication or talk therapy.
Replacing the trauma with desired thoughts and feelings
Focusing on the traumatic event and then replacing them with positive actions and feelings while undergoing EMDR treatment has shown remarkable results in as few a three sessions. Following the session, the subject allows the mind to go blank, and whatever feelings and thoughts are noticed, are put into action. It is important to journal this process making note of the trauma at hand, and the positive, healthy resulting state.
During a traumatic event, the body naturally responds with eye movement left to right in rapid succession leaving the person traumatized, reopening those wounds every time the event replays in the mind. By recreating the body’s natural mechanisms through revisiting the trauma, the process of replacing the trauma with a healthy response allows one to separate themselves emotionally from the event and view it in a detached state calmly without negative attachments.
Although experts don’t know exactly why EMDR is so effective, statistics show it to be a highly effective therapy. Further exploration and research into the uncharted wilderness of the mind will likely reveal with clarity why this treatment is so effective.
EMDR Therapy Meditation for You
Below, you'll find a recording of meditative music that I made which incorporates EMDR methods into the fabric of the song. Hopefully, it will at the very least, provide another tool in the healing process, and may be a powerful step toward recovery.
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