Unraveling Anxiety with EMDR: A Journey to Healing

Gordon Gooding
May 1
4 min read

Updated: May 9

Unraveling Anxiety with EMDR: A Journey to Healing. A blog written by Gordon Gooding and Peter Juliano from the Gooding Wellness Group in Cold Spring Harbor, NY.

In the quest for mental well-being, understanding and treating anxiety is crucial. Among the myriad of therapeutic approaches, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) stands out as a new sign of hope and relief for many. This cutting-edge therapy, developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, offers a unique and effective way to process traumatic memories that often underpin anxiety disorders. EMDR can help untangle an often difficult web, supporting individuals who struggle with fears and anxiety that appear “unreasonable”. Fears such as social anxiety, public speaking, phobias, and other anxiety-based cognitive distortions can often be helped with the use of EMDR from a properly trained clinician.

What is EMDR?

EMDR therapy is based on the premise that our minds can heal from psychological trauma just as our bodies recover from physical trauma. By using detailed protocols and procedures, therapists help clients activate their natural healing processes through eight distinct phases. These phases involve recalling distressing events while receiving one of several types of bilateral sensory input, including side-to-side eye movements.

The Eight Phases of EMDR:

History Taking and Treatment Planning: The therapist gathers information about the client's past, present, and what they wish for the future, creating a roadmap for therapy.
Preparation: The therapist ensures the client is ready for EMDR, establishing trust and explaining the process.
Assessment: Identifying the specific memories to target and the negative beliefs associated with them.
Desensitization: The client focuses on the memory while engaging in EMDR processing, reducing the emotional charge of the memory.
Installation: Strengthening positive beliefs associated with the targeted memory.
Body Scan: Checking for residual physical tension and addressing any remaining distress.
Closure: Returning the client to equilibrium at the end of each session, regardless of the emotional state.
Reevaluation: Assessing progress and ensuring all targeted memories have been processed.

The Science Behind EMDR:

The effectiveness of EMDR in processing trauma is supported by neuroscience. Traumatic memories are often stored in an unprocessed form in the brain's limbic system, particularly the amygdala, which is responsible for processing emotions and fear responses. This storage can lead to the memories being triggered easily, causing intense emotional and physical reactions.

During EMDR therapy, the use of bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements) is thought to mimic the psychological state of REM sleep, which is essential for processing and integrating memories. This stimulation helps the brain to move these traumatic memories from the amygdala to the prefrontal cortex, where they can be examined more rationally. This shift allows the individual to process the memories in a way that reduces their emotional intensity and helps the person develop new, more adaptive understandings and responses.

In addition to basic EMDR there is also Attachment-Focused EMDR which helps individuals overcome barriers to emotional connection, thereby reducing anxiety and enhancing overall well-being. Attachment-Focused EMDR combines traditional EMDR with strategies that address the complex needs of clients with attachment wounds. It emphasizes healing attachment traumas and enhancing relational healing by repairing attachment relationships and building a stronger sense of security and trust.

EMDR's Effectiveness in Treating Anxiety:

Anxiety, with its many faces, can be debilitating, affecting every aspect of life. EMDR shines as a highly effective treatment, not only addressing the symptoms, but targeting the root causes of anxiety. By reprocessing traumatic memories that contribute to anxiety, individuals often find significant relief and a decrease in symptoms. Research supports EMDR's effectiveness, particularly for those suffering from trauma-related anxiety disorders.

EMDR can be incredibly effective for addressing anxiety related to both current triggers and future anxieties. When a current trigger activates a distressing memory or belief, EMDR helps reprocess the experience, reducing its emotional intensity and influence. By focusing on the trigger while engaging in bilateral stimulation, the brain can create new, healthier associations.

Similarly, for future situations causing anxiety, EMDR can be used to prepare the individual. Imagining the anticipated event while undergoing EMDR processing allows them to identify and challenge negative beliefs or expectations, building a sense of calm and confidence in facing the future situation. This dual approach of addressing both current and future anxieties makes EMDR a powerful tool for managing anxiety and promoting long-term healing.

Types of Anxiety EMDR Can Help With:

EMDR is versatile, proving beneficial for various anxiety disorders, including:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Helps in processing underlying fears and worries.
Panic Disorder: Targets the memories and fears associated with panic attacks.
Social Anxiety Disorder: Addresses the traumatic experiences that may contribute to fear of social situations.
Phobias: Aids in desensitizing the fear response to specific triggers.

The Importance of a Properly Trained EMDR Therapist:

The efficacy of EMDR and Attachment-Focused EMDR hinges significantly on the expertise and training of the therapist. Properly trained EMDR therapists have completed at least two comprehensive trainings and are actively involved in supervision programs. These rigorous trainings ensure therapists are well-equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to guide clients through the EMDR process safely and effectively. Some therapists go even further, participating in three trainings and continuing with ongoing supervision, demonstrating a deep commitment to their professional development and to providing the highest standard of care to their clients. This level of dedication is essential, as the therapist's ability to tailor the EMDR approach to each individual's needs is crucial in facilitating healing.

Conclusion:

Overcoming anxiety is deeply personal and often challenging and is being seen more and more in our practice and our world at large. EMDR offers a path forward, not by walking around the darkness, but by moving through it, processing and releasing the hold of past traumas. The role of a properly trained EMDR therapist in this journey cannot be overstated; their expertise is the key to unlocking a life less governed by fear.

If you or someone you know struggles with anxiety, EMDR could help. Contact us to speak with one of our qualified and trained EMDR therapists, or search for a trained clinician through organizations like EMDRIA or Parnell Institute. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, and with the right support, healing is within reach.