Traumatic events don’t just happen. Memories about them get stored deep in our brains and terrorize us many years after the event took place until we decide to take action and get help.
There are few therapeutic techniques that can help with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). One of the newer ones is eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). This type of therapy involves eye movements (side-to-side) as the client recalls traumatic or triggering experiences. It happens in segments and continues until those memories no longer cause distress (desensitization).
To be able to provide EMDR therapy clinicians have to go through special trainings. Our CEO, Dr. Trenye Black, has recently completed her training and is ready to tell us more about this new service we provide at Married To Navy Counseling Services.
You have recently completed your EDMR training. What does it mean?
I am qualified to provide all phases of EMDR therapy. I have completed my trainings and required supervision consultations.
Who can benefit from EDMR therapy? What conditions can be treated?
There have been numerous studies investigating the use of EMDR Therapy with diagnostic conditions other than PTSD, with positive results (for more information go to www.emdr.com and www.emdria.org). Although additional clinical trials are needed, EMDR therapy has been shown to be effective in treating the following:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Depression
- Addictions including substances and behavioral
- Grief
- Panic Disorder
- Phobias
- Performance Anxiety
- Psychotic Disorders
- Chronic Pain, including Fibromyalgia and Migraine Headaches
- Phantom Limb Pain
- Body Dysmorphic Disorder
How long did the training take?
Two weekends with full days (Friday – Sunday). Part 1 and Part 2 were both three-day training. I completed Part I in January. I completed six hours of consultation prior to completing Part 2 training in May.
What does a typical therapy session with EDMR look like?
EMDR consists of eight phases. The eight phases of EMDR therapy encompass the entire course of therapeutic work with a client, from the intake session to completion/termination. This treatment could range from a few sessions (single-incident trauma) to several years of treatment (complex PTSD). The standard EMDR protocol consists of phases 3 through 7 and is the sequence of steps taken in one single EMDR therapy session. This sequence is repeated with different targets until the client’s issues are resolved and treatment is complete.
- Client History and Treatment Planning
- Preparation
- Assessment (Accessing the Target Memory)
- Desensitization
- Installation
- Body Scan
- Closure
- Reevaluation
How many sessions should an individual take to start seeing results? And are these results long-lasting?
The short answer, it depends on the client and their target memory (the focus of the session). Some clients have noted results following 5 sessions, whereas others noticed results following 20 sessions. An EMDR therapy session could range from a few sessions (single-incident trauma) to several years of treatment (complex PTSD). The results are long-lasting, however, with any form of mental health therapy, you may need maintenance/check-in sessions.
Self-improvement and constant learning seem to be your priorities. What is the next training on your list?
Interesting you ask, because after I completed my EMDR therapy training, I told myself, “I am done with intense trainings for a while.” Once I complete the certification criteria, I will become EMDR certified. Certification requires an additional direct client, consultation hours, and other requirements.
Of course, I will continue to enhance my skills by completing refresher courses and continuing education courses.
Not only do I provide this service, but I have also experienced it as a client. And it is a true-life changer. There were things I experienced many years ago still holding charge (causing anxiety, sleepless nights, etc). It was something I thought I worked through.
Now, don’t get me wrong EMDR therapy sessions are intense, exhausting, and draining because you are experiencing a true connection with your brain, physical sensations, and emotions. However, the outcome I experienced and the outcome I have witnessed with my clients, is worth it.
Information for this interview was obtained from the EMDR International Association site.
To schedule your appointment with Dr. Black click here.
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