Read the first blogs in this series:
What is EMDR? Is it as powerful as they say?
What can I expect from EMDR therapy? A session to session guide.
How is EMDR different from talk therapy?
How effective is EMDR therapy with anxiety and depression?
How effective is EMDR with Adolescents?
How effective is EMDR with Children?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a very effective therapy that treats most mental health diagnosis and conditions.
Treating Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder is characterized by extreme shifts in mood and energy levels, from severely depressed to highly manic. It is considerable dysregulating from those that suffer from it as it tends to be unpredictable and difficult to balance emotions.
EMDR will not be effective at regulating the chemical shifts that happen in the body, only medication has been proven effective at this point. What it can do, however, is address external stressors that can contribute to the intensity of the bipolar symptoms. For many people with this diagnosis, there is often a stigma that induces shame in them. This carries with it beliefs about their value, worth, being permanently damaged or too weak to control it. When those feelings and beliefs are worked through, there is often
What does the research say about EMDR’s effectiveness with Bipolar?
The research is very promising with symptom reduction both during treatment and at follow-ups. ‘EMDR was significantly superior to ST [Supportive Therapy] at the 12-month follow up in terms of reducing depressive symptoms, manic symptoms, and improving functioning‘. EMDRIA also has an extensive library.
Treating Neurodivergence
Neuroatypical brains describe a cluster of diagnosis that represents people whose brains processes, learns of behavior differently than the cultural norm. We are focusing on the most prevalent – Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Other diagnosis that would also fit this criteria are dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia, Tourette’s Syndrome and synesthesia.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
ASD can be diagnosed in childhood as that’s when symptoms tend to surface. More recently adults are beginning to question their own behavioral and emotional responses and being evaluated themselves.
Hallmark symptoms of ASD include little or inconsistent eye contact, trouble with social interaction, difficulty with facial expression and voice tone, repetitive movements, adversity to changes in routine and sensory sensitivities.
EMDR will not be effective in changing or eliminating the symptoms, as those are organic in nature. What we can address instead is on life stressors that exacerbate the symptoms. These may include feelings about the diagnosis, troubling interactions from the past, times where they struggled with tasks their peer find easy. Once process, we find these individuals to be more confident and secure in themselves and find assets within their differences.
What does the research say about EMDR’s effectiveness with ASD?
Research is a little fuzzy around how effective EMDR is with this populations. This is due to the need to make modifications to what are recognized as EMDR standards. Certain elements of processing can be triggering and overstimulating. For examples, it’s important to try out a variety of methods for bilateral, as one may be dysregulating. The length and speed of the bilateral may need to be adjusted to contain emotions and allow for processing.
EMDRIA offers a variety of resources that further discuss the modifications to support these distinct nervous systems. The NIH also has a wealth of information.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
As mentioned earlier, EMDR will not work to rewire the brain in a way that will make it more attentive or focused. It will allow for symptom reduction in the present as negative memories from the past are worked through. For some with ADHD, they find stigma in the diagnosis or the need for medication. They also often feel as though they are not good enough, when compared to others, because it is harder for them to get the good grades, finish the project, and have a poor memory in respect to their relationships.
What does the research say about EMDR’s effectiveness with ADHD?
Medication, along with behavioral changes are considered the first line of defense for treating symptoms of ADHD. Adding a stimulant helps regulate the brain enough to focus and be productive. Behavioral changes include making schedules that prioritize sleep, healthy eating and regular routines. EMDR will be helpful with managing ancillary issues – those listed above.
Often EMDR therapists will make modifications to meet the individual needs of their client with ADHD. For some it is more effective on medication, for others while they are off it. Other factors include time of day, if they just ate, or if there are big stressors on their minds.
Treating Schizophrenia with EMDR
Schizophrenia is another diagnosis that’s considered organic – something happens within the body to change it’s make up and produces symptoms. This means that EMDR won’t change the underlying condition, however it will impact concerns that go hand in hand. As with many diagnosis, there’s a secondary impact to schizophrenia. How they interpret having this diagnosis, how friends and family members may respond when they find out, the consequences of psychotic episodes. All of these can leave a scar that can have a lifelong impact on their self-worth and importance.
What does the research say about EMDR’s effectiveness with schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia can often be accompanied by PTSD, depression and anxiety. NIH reports ‘EMDR was associated with reductions in delusional and negative symptoms [lack of eye contact, monotone voice, lack of expression and incongruent emotions], mental health service [hospital stays, crisis intervention] and medication use’. As well as ‘improvements in clinician and patient rated PTSD symptoms and was particularly effective in reducing psychotic negative symptoms and paranoid thinking‘.
How do I Find a Qualified EMDR Therapist?
When looking for a qualified EMDR therapist, the first place to look is on the EMDRIA website. The EMDR International Association is the body that regulates both how EMDR is trained, and the therapists that wish to move up the credentialing process. There are companies that offer EMDR trainings, however they do not hold the same rigorous expectations, including supervised practice. Make sure your therapist has EMDRIA approval before moving forward.
There are several levels of EMDR therapists:
- EMDR in training: Currently participating in the 50 hours of training. This includes lecture, video and live demonstrations of key principles, and practicing with another trainee while an experienced EMDR therapist observes and gives live feed-back. They are also participating in 10 hours of group sessions, where they share their use of EMDR, review lecture material and learn from their peers’ experiences.
- EMDR trained: Completed the 50 hours or training, the 10 hours of group and a post-test demonstrating their knowledge. No further actions are necessary to keep this status.
- EMDR certified: After becoming EMDR trained, these therapist continue their learning by taking at least 12 hours of advanced trainings, have an additional 20 hours of oversight with a higher level EMDR therapist (including audio tapes of actual sessions), and have completed a minimum number of processing sessions. Certification must be renewed every 2 years, an additional 12 hours of advanced trainings is required at each renewal.
- EMDR Consultant in Training (CIT): After becoming certified, they continue to learn by taking another 12 hours of advanced training and have more processing sessions completed. They are also required to have a minimum of 20 hours of oversight from an Approved Consultant (the next levelup). The Approved Consultant will evaluate the CIT’s ability to correctly guide and support newly trained therapists in their use of EMDR with their clients. The audio/video used here will be of the CIT offering consultation to the therapist that is either in training or trained.
- EMDR Approved Consultant: Once all the above requirements are met, the therapist will now have the title of Approved Consultant. This credential requires 12 hours of advanced training and renewal every two years.
- EMDR Trainer: This is the highest level of credentialing for an EMDR therapist. There are believed to be less than 250 trainers in the United States. In addition to being an Approved Consultant, the trainer has to go through a rigorous screening process. The curriculum has to meet very specific criteria about content and length of time spent on topics, the in training practicum experiences, even how the learning management system works. They are also required to answer a series of questions around how they handle certain situations, learner engagement, and being culturally sensitive and aware. Trainer status is renewed every 2 years by answering the training specific short essay questions.
If you have further questions about EMDR, either as a therapist or as a potential client, please reach out to Heather Dunn, EMDRIA Approved trainer, at heather@bluehorizoncounseling.com.
Summary
There is a lot more to EMDR, it requires a minimum or 60 hours in supervised training to be credentialed. This overview is designed to help you feel more prepared before starting EMDR for yourself. Admittedly, it does seem odd that experiencing BLS could have such a significant effect. It has been tested over and over again for 40 years, with strong results supporting this therapy.
Each phase is just as important as the next and need to be done thoroughly and in order. The most common mistakes that new or inexperienced EMDR therapists make is not doing the groundwork. Phases 1 and 2 are imperative to ensure the processing is emotionally safe and tolerable for the client. Unfortunately these phases are often rushed through. Additionally, you want to make sure your therapist is intentional about which memory to start processing through. Starting with an intense trauma, especially if the client is ill prepared, can have significant long-term impacts. It’s often advised to start with a smaller memory as the client gets comfortable with the process, and the therapist can evaluate their ability to stay regulated.
At Blue Horizon Counseling we have several therapists that are passionate and qualified in EMDR therapy. We also offer consultation for EMDR therapists that are looking for additional support as they continue to learn and grow.
You’re Not Alone. Our Therapists are here to help, in Pearland, TX.
Hang in there. This won’t last forever, even if some days feel like it might. You’re planting the seeds for future blossoms. All our therapists at Blue Horizon Counseling offer sessions both in person and via telehealth. Find the right therapist for you. We accept most major insurance plans.
How to Start Therapy Today
Blue Horizon Counseling is located in Pearland, Texas for in person sessions. We are located at the corner of Broadway and Hwy 35, in northern Brazoria County and near southern Harris County. Follow these steps to get started on your journey:
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Written by Heather Dunn, Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor, specializing in trauma, dissociation and EMDR. Heather has been practicing for over 20 years and enjoys sharing her knowledge and helpful tips.
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