EMDR is a method that brings together elements from major clinical theoretical orientations including psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioral, and body-centered approaches. The EMDR protocol combines these modalities into a single healing approach. It combines thought (cognition), emotion, behavior, the physical sensation and the location of that sensation in the body along with bilateral stimulation, which seems to produce an accelerated healing. The protocol seems to allow the brain to access the neural network where the dysfunctional information is stored. Different areas of the brain control each of these parts (cognition, emotion, and physical sensation). The bilateral stimulation seems to bring them together at the same time, which may help account for the speed of the processing.

EMDR was originally studied on adults who had been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The original research was done on Viet Nam veterans and rape victims. Since that time, EMDR has been used to help both adults and children in the resolution of issues that evoke distress. EMDR has also been used effectively in the treatment of anxiety (phobias, panic attacks, separation), addictions (food, chemicals, sex, smoking), grief and loss, depression, as well as chronic and phantom limb pain. One of the most innovative uses of EMDR is in the area of performance enhancement, which aims to help people improve their efficiency in work, sports, and the performing arts.

For single incident traumas, EMDR can often be very effective in just one to three sessions. For example, I saw an individual who had been in a major car wreck and was suffering feelings of anxiety at the thought of driving and panic when she neared the place of the accident. The anxiety and panic were cleared in two sessions and she has been able to drive again without any further symptoms.

In situations where the trauma is ongoing (such as in cases of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse), treatment time may be longer due to how the individual's ability to cope with emotional distress was effected. Often, the body's natural ability to dissociate is used when a person is experiencing trauma. Because the trauma had to be endured for a length of time, the brain and body grow accustomed to dissociating whenever the experience is triggered. These individuals have to re-learn how to stay in their bodies before EMDR will be effective.

Children seem to process much faster than adults do. It is assumed that this occurs because children have fewer experiences to untangle. Variations of the standard EMDR protocol are often used with children. Sandtray therapy, art therapy, and stories may also be used with children to assist in processing distressing events. For example, an 8-year-old boy was having night terrors, outbursts of anger, and was being physically aggressive at home. He had been subject to numerous health problems that required hospitalization and surgeries since infancy. As he had no direct memory of the earlier experiences, I asked his parents to write a story about him and read it to him while EMDR was used. His anxiety cleared up after two sessions.

The impact and benefits of EMDR, like any other approach, are dependent on the skill of the clinician and the willingness of the client. EMDR can help resolve trauma quickly, but it is very important that a thorough assessment be done and that the process is done in a safe manner. People develop ways of coping with traumas in order to protect themselves and stay safe. If those means of coping are stripped away too fast without proper preparation, the individual often becomes too vulnerable and could be at risk.

While EDMR is no different than any other form of therapy, it can bring about healing very quickly because the process taps into the neural network in which the trauma is stored.

I have been using EMDR since 1997 in my practice and have found it to be the most effective means of healing that I have come across. I have used EMDR with children, adolescents, and adults and have found the results to be extremely fascinating. The connection people make from one experience to another and how that affects the way we believe, feel, and think about ourselves is amazing. Seeing a belief of a person change from "I am not lovable" to "I am lovable" is a beautiful thing to see. I think as we learn more about how the human brain works, we will have opportunities to learn more about its natural ability to help us heal.

Barton Sloan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice. He is Level II trained in EMDR and works with adults and children. He can be contacted at (907) 563-5765.

Thomas Gormley is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner in private practice and is Level II trained in EMDR. He works with adults and adolescents and can be contacted at (907) 563-5765.