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FAQs about EMDR

Depression and Anxiety; Prevalence, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

On Reconciling Differences and Bridging Relationship Gaps

What is Health?

FAQs about EMDR

Why do I, as a Counsellor, choose to offer EMDR to my clients?

As an evidence-based practitioner and researcher myself, it has taken a lot of experimental validation to convince me that EMDR is much more than a passing fad; Indeed it is a very effective psychotherapeutic tool.

After nearly 20 years of research, and continued accolades from professional colleagues, it has proven itself to be a therapy worthy of my clients. Therefore, I have decided to include EMDR in my repertoire of Counselling techniques, as part of a multifaceted approach to Counselling, so that I can provide the very best to my clients, should they, of their own free will, choose it.

What is EMDR?

EMDR is a relatively new and groundbreaking psychotherapeutic technique involving bilateral stimulation of the brain, generally through eye movements much like those occurring naturally during dream or REM sleep. EMDR ‘targets’ upsetting emotional events to allow their reprocessing such that they are no longer as painful nor as disruptive to client’s lives. It is often a wonderful surprise to uncover the reasons why certain circumstances are unsettling to us and to often be, completely and permanently, relieved of them. Studies indicate that EMDR is effective in over 90% of the general populace.

Since the first published EMDR research study done by its developer, Dr. Shapiro in 1989, EMDR has continued to evolve to include contributions made by world therapists and researchers, and to incorporate key elements of multiple psychotherapeutic approaches. Thus far, EMDR has helped approximately 2 million clients find relief from a great variety of psychological distresses.

What does E.M.D.R. stand for?

Eye Movement. Eye movements, or alternating bilateral taps or tones, assist to stimulate the left and right brain hemispheres.
Desensitization refers to reducing or removing the sensitivity of the emotional disturbance(s) associated with a traumatic memory.
Reprocessing refers to the replacement of unhealthy,
negative beliefs, associated with traumatic memories, with healthier, more positive, beliefs.

What can EMDR help with?

EMDR has been most studied in its application to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and its symptoms. PTSD symptoms include: anxiety, fearfulness, guilt, anger, depression/sadness, panic, sleep disturbances, nightmares, and flashbacks (where the memories are relived). Traditional therapies have met with limited success in treating victims of trauma. However, not only has EMDR therapy been found to be effective in reducing the chronic symptoms which follow trauma, several studies indicate that these benefits may be permanent.

EMDR is useful in treating the two types of trauma; Capital “T” traumas and little “t” traumas. Big “T” traumas are the very disturbing, shocking and often single incident events, such as being a victim, or experiencing a sudden tragedy or loss. Little “t” traumas are smaller, but often involve multiple occurrences of verbal ‘put-downs’ or emotional abuse, and subsequent chronic self-doubt, llow self-esteem and personal challenges in living life and especially, in our personal relationships.

Clinicians have also have reported success using EMDR in the treatment of the following conditions:

• panic attacks
• complicated grief
• dissociative disorders
• disturbing memories
• phobias
• pain disorders
• eating disorders
• performance anxiety
• stress reduction
• addictions
• sexual and/or physical abuse
• body dysmorphic disorders
• personality disorders

Again, what two types of trauma can EMDR be used for?

As mentioned EMDR is useful in treating the two types of trauma; Capital “T” traumas and little “t” traumas. Big “T” traumas are the very disturbing events, such as being a victim of a heinous crime, combat, rape, or having the experience of losing a loved one such as a spouse, a parent or a child.  Little “t” traumas are the smaller everyday chronic upsets, such as daily negative childhood messages or abuse, which can lead to the formation of unhealthy self-concepts and low self-esteem. For example, a child may grow up believing that they are not good enough, that they are unlovable, or that they are truly all alone, among other wrongful and painful self-concepts. Naturally, with such unhealthy beliefs, a person’s life may have added challenges in all of its aspects, especially evident in our relationships with others.

What does EMDR look like?

EMDR therapy involves an initial assessment and thorough history taking to determine its appropriateness for any given client and to assess how it might fit into comprehensive treatment plans and goals. Targets for therapy, self-statements and associated emotions are identified.

By holding a thought along with the associated emotions, the clinician will guide eye movements, or bilateral taps or sounds, with specific verbal directions, while monitoring the client’s experience. The time required to complete treatment using EMDR varies with each client, the complexity of issues presenting, and the agreed-upon treatment goals.

Various practitioners schedule differing lengths of time for EMDR therapy. In my practice, EMDR sessions average from 1.5 to 2 hours in length, and may run longer depending on client wishes. Occasionally only one session is required, though it is more common that clients request further EMDR therapy as they make therapeutic progress and personally witness beneficial results.

What sort of training do I have in EMDR?

I have received accredited training in EMDR and its protocols through the BC School of Professional Psychology. This school operates in accordance to training standards as set by the EMDR International Association. EMDRIA is a world-class organization originally formed in 1995, to set standards, encourage dialogue, quality research and the ongoing development of clinicians and EMDR protocols.

When do I utilize EMDR in therapy?

Simply put, when my clients choose it. It is never offered as the only solution. Conversely, at BestLife, EMDR is offered to clients as a part of a multifaceted approach to Counselling. It is not the only way to find healing and benefit in therapy. It is entirely up to the client(s) whether or not they wish to take part in it and to utilize it for their own therapeutic goals. It is our pleasure to be able to offer it, to inform clients of it, and then, to honor their choices of whether or not to utilize EMDR therapy for their own personal growth and development.

Quotes from Lorraine's clients about EMDR therapy

The people around me can not stop telling me how calm I am. I would not hesitate to recommend EMDR. - LP

I can not believe I lived in fear for so long. EMDR really helped me out. - DD

I have no idea how it works, but it does. It felt funny at first, but the insights I found are life changing. I t seems so silly, the things I used to worry so much about. Thanks so much. SB

Depression and Anxiety; Prevalence, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

A remarkable 2006 online study of over 2000 respondents was conducted for the British Counselling Association in regards to depression and anxiety. The following are some of their findings:

Depression and Anxiety is Common
A majority of this British sample, 66%, reported experiencing bouts of depression or anxiety. Of greater alarm, 86% said that they had had more than one episode of depression or that their depression and anxiety was recurrent or ongoing.

Reasons for Depression and Anxiety
Of people seeking a medical Doctor’s assistance, 44% reported the most common reasons for their depression and anxiety were relationship and family problems and 43% felt that their depression was due to overwork and exhaustion.  Bereavement was reported in a third of respondents as a cause, while poor health was also a large contributing factor.

Symptoms
The most common reported symptoms were sadness, poor sleep, and disinterest in life;  While 51% reported having panic attacks, while 43% had thought of suicide.

Treatments Offered by GPs
The most common treatment suggested by GP’s for anxiety and depression is medication which was offered to 76% of the respondents, this was closely followed by 75% offering advice.  Over half were referred to a specialist or therapist, while some sufferers sought self-help methods such as seeking information from books and the internet.  The researchers noted that only 55% of sufferers discussed their situations with their friends or family and described this number to be indicative of a reticence to have help from those closest to them.

Summary
Remarkably, this large British study found that a majority suffer from depression and anxiety. The main reasons given were relationship problems, feeling overworked and exhausted, or loss.  People felt sad, had poor sleep, were not interested in life and many described suffering from panic attacks and suicide.  As far as treatment, medication was still the most widely prescribed treatment made by GPs; However half were referred to therapists.  Although some of this population found reading materials to be helpful, many seemed reticent to seek the help of those closest to them.

On Reconciling Differences and Bridging Relationship Gaps

Counselling is often sought when there seem to be differences between people in a relationship that seem irreconcilable. Perhaps there is too much conflict and not enough mutual understanding.  Perhaps there are inconsiderate, insensitive or hurtful behaviours.  Regardless there is usually a distinct lack of positive communication, often too much negative communication, and many hurt feelings.

A fitting song begins “You’ve got to change . . .  your evil ways . . .  Baby . . .  before I start loving you.” Similarly,  people often come in to the Counsellor’s office with some conviction that the other person needs to be fixed, see the light, make amends (change their ways), and to apologize. Alternately, there may be the expectation that the other person should and will do these things first.

Who can come together again to successfully close the gap?  Simply put, those who believe there is a benefit to doing so; Those who see that being together or forging a new relationship outweighs the perceived costs involved in managing the risks of changing or of keeping things the same, ie that all considered, reconciliation via relationship change is the prefered option.  This may require each person to do a cost-benefit analysis.  Each party must believe that it is better to have a healthy relationship and to manage conflicts within it, than to risk either ending the relationship or in going on with things as they are.

Furthermore, it is necessary to believe that change and reconciliation is possible. This requires some faith in the capacity of those involved to act better in relationship and a mutual desire and commitment to change.

Rather than fixing past wrongdoings, bridging the gap in Counselling is more often about taking a future looking viewpoint.  To be successful, it is necessary to be able to recognize that the past is the past and can not be changed. Some hurts can never be erased nor fully repaired. This means that it is rarely possible, nor is it a necessary precondition, to have trust before moving forward in the relationship in Counselling.  Instead of the focus being so much on who is right versus who is wrong, it can be moved towards how to close the gap and get closer, with as little risk to everyone involved as is possible.

So how is risk managed during reconciliation talks? First of all, ground rules must be set and agreed upon, which honour each party’s needs. These safety needs will vary from person to person.  However, most often there is the acknowledgement that there is no room for blaming or condemnation in moving forward.  Indeed, any negatives in the relationship need to be reduced and the positives elevated as much as possible.

Indeed it is crucial to understand that initially, it is likely to be very challenging to be together, even in the Counsellor’s office. Each participant may be super-sensitive and will be searching the other for danger signals; seeking to find evidence that the other person has either no desire to change, has not changed, or can never be trustworthy. Here, persons involved need to be able to distinguish between what they imagine or anticipate the risk may be versus what the risk truly is.  How is that possible to see?  It is necessary to be able to gauge risk through grounded and nonfearful eyes in the present tense. Preconceived expectations of risk may cause us trouble, and blind us to the possibility of seeing the positive intentions of each other.  This is where communication skills, such as empathic, active listening and conflict resolution, need to be taught and reinforced by the Counselling professional involved.

Through consistently practicing mutual respect, being as risk-tolerant and as grounded as possible, having improved listening and conflict resolution skills, and by keeping true to the agreed upon ground rules, gaps can be bridged, and with time and effort, trust may be built.

WHAT IS HEALTH?

Health
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

Health is the level of functional and/or metabolic efficiency of an organism at both the micro(cellular) and macro(social) level. In the medical field, health is commonly defined as an organism's ability to efficiently respond to challenges (stressors) and effectively restore and sustain a "state of balance," known as homeostasis.

Another widely accepted definition of health is that of the World Health Organization "WHO". It states that "health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity"[1]. In more recent years, this statement has been modified to include the ability to lead a "socially and economically productive life." The WHO definition is not without criticism, as some argue that health cannot be defined as a state at all, but must be seen as a process of continuous adjustment to the changing demands of living and of the changing meanings we give to life . . .

The LaLonde report suggested that there are four general determinants of health which he called "human biology", "environment", "lifestyle", and "healthcare organization"[2] Thus, health is maintained through the science and practice of medicine, but can also be improved by individual effort. Physical fitness, weight loss, a healthy diet, stress management training and stopping smoking and other substance abuse are examples of steps to improve one's health. . . . Wellness is a term sometimes used to describe the psychological state of being healthy . . .

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