What is EMDR?
By Kate Bennett, PsyD
EMDR – short for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing - is a therapeutic approach that has gained significant traction and recognition for its effectiveness in treating trauma. In short, EMDR alleviates the distress that is associated with traumatic memories. It can also be helpful in enhancing the effects of visualization through the Future template.
So, what exactly is EMDR?
Some people nay-say EMDR and think it is a bunch of fluff. And to be honest, it sounds a bit suspicious when described. However, having studied the efficacy of EMDR in sport for my dissertation in addition to over a decade of utilizing EMDR to treat sport-related traumas, I can vouch for EMDR. It really works – when you are open to it.
EMDR is a structured therapy that supports brief exposures to traumatic memories while simultaneously implementing bilateral stimulation (alternating beeps in headphones and/or buzzing from tactile sensors). The brief, repeated exposures support the reduction of vividness and emotion associated with the targeted memories.
How does EMDR work?
EMDR is much different than traditional talk therapy. It is broken down into distinct phases.
The first phase of EMDR involves a comprehensive assessment of your history, traumatic experiences, and current symptoms. This helps establish a therapeutic relationship, helps build trust, and allows me to develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs. (Note: This is accomplished during the intake session at Athlete Insight.)
After the assessment phase, we work together to identify specific “target memories” or experiences that will become the focus of the EMDR treatment. These targets are usually memories associated with the distressing or traumatic event and that continue to cause emotional distress today. Each target may require several sessions to process fully, so the number of targets directly affects the overall length of therapy.
Also, the number of sessions required to process each target memory varies based upon the intensity of the trauma, your ability to tolerate emotional distress, and your unique responsiveness to EMDR techniques in general.
Throughout the course of EMDR-based therapy, I continuously adjust by monitoring your progress, revisiting certain target memories, addressing new issues, and helping to build coping skills.
The scripted protocol structures the conversation to ensure that you are prepared to enter into EMDR processing (desensitization). Furthermore, the sessions themselves rely on the sets of processing via the bilateral stimulation so there is not much talking going on during the session itself. As the therapist, I silently observe shifts in the body and check in periodically to learn about your experiences. Otherwise, you are focused on the memories arising during their EMDR processing.
In short, I let the nervous system guide the process. And, believe it or not, the nervous system is quite adept at meeting its needs when given the opportunity.
How long does EMDR take?
As with most therapy, the duration of EMDR therapy can vary widely and it depends on several factors. These include the complexity of the trauma, the individual's response to the treatment, and the therapist.
Typically, a complete course of sport-specific EMDR therapy requires two to four sessions. Some clients require fewer sessions. Others more (eight or more sessions). Each session typically lasts 80 minutes.
What are the benefits of EMDR?
Efficiency: First and foremost, EMDR is incredibly efficient and often works more quickly than talk therapy when addressing specific traumas and/or developing positive Future templates.
Stress Reduction: EMDR is very helpful at reducing the emotional intensity of traumatic or distressing memories.
Coping Improvements: Athletes typically find that they are able to better manage their reactions to triggers and stressors following EMDR sessions.
How does EMDR help athletes?
EMDR can be a powerful tool for athletes when they open their minds to an alternative approach to performance enhancement.
Resilience: By learning to regulate their emotions and having addressed past stressors, athletes develop an improved ability to remain composed under pressure and bounce back from mistakes.
Confidence: By addressing and reprocessing negative beliefs associated with past traumas, EMDR supports the development of strong self-belief systems.
Focus & Concentration: By working through past negative experiences and reducing related anxiety, EMDR helps athletes to improve their focus in training and competition.
Visualization & Mental Rehearsal: EMDR’s Future template enhances visualization techniques, creating positive mental imagery and reinforcing successful performance scenarios.
Injury Management: Injuries are tough on the athlete psyche. EMDR can help athletes work through the trauma of sustaining the injury and subsequent treatments (for example, surgery). Furthermore, the Future template can prepare athletes for return to play by addressing the fear they have of re-injuring themselves.
What if I don’t have trauma?
This may all sound great to you; however, you might be thinking “What if I don’t have any trauma?”
First of all, we distinguish between “Big T” Trauma and “little t” trauma. Big T trauma is what we often think of when it comes to identifying trauma – combat trauma, sexual trauma, life-threatening injury or illness, etc. However, little t traumas can be just as impactful and much more discrete. Examples of little t trauma include disruptions to sport due to injury, challenging coach-athlete relationships, negative team dynamics, embarrassing oneself in the middle of a competition, or disappointing results during an important event. The list is endless.
Essentially, if an athlete experiences a distressing or challenging event (or events) and are having a hard time “just getting over,” EMDR might be exactly what they need to process the event(s) and move on.
EMDR is a bit like Santa Claus in that you have to believe in order for the process to work. Doubt and over-thinking will disrupt the process. However, if you are ready for change and you are exhausted by trying to outthink your past experiences, EMDR might be your solution. EMDR moves you past those challenging moments when you truly embrace the process.
You might ask, but what is the difference between EMDR and Santa Claus? EMDR is real. It is scientifically backed and evidence-based treatment. You have to believe in EMDR for the process for work and, when you believe, the magic of EMDR speaks for itself.
Curious about EMDR? Schedule a complimentary discovery call today to learn more about how EMDR might help you in life or sport.