A blog by Angela Gallo
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a powerful evidence-based treatment that has helped many find relief from the overwhelming effects of past experiences. Combining psychotherapy with bilateral stimulation, EMDR is widely acknowledged as a success in the field of mental health. As such, this seemingly magic approach remains a subject of much curiosity. Thanks to advances in neuroimaging, researchers can finally witness the remarkable neurological changes during EMDR sessions, shedding light on our brain’s astounding capacity to heal itself.
The Brain and Trauma: A Complex Relationship
To understand how EMDR works, it is important to know a little about how the brain processes trauma. The brain is divided into two major hemispheres: the left hemisphere, responsible for language and logical thought, and the right hemisphere, which handles emotions, visual processing, and more abstract concepts. There are three other important structures within these hemispheres: the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. Typically, our amygdala (also known as the brain’s fear center) functions to detect potential threats in our environment that could jeopardize our safety. This part affects the hippocampus, a structure responsible for organizing and storing our memories, including traumatic ones. Finally, the prefrontal cortex is responsible for executive functioning, such as decision-making, rational thought, and emotional regulation.
Research demonstrates that traumatic experiences are often dominated by the right hemisphere, which hijack our body’s reflexive emotional responses. When we experience traumatic events, which contrary to popular belief, does not have to be intense, simply meaningful, our memories of these experiences are not always processed properly throughout the brain. Instead, the memory and its associated sensations become inadequately processed by the hippocampus and consequently, “stuck” in our right hemispheres, leading to continued emotional distress.
When a traumatic memory is triggered – potentially by sensations that were not processed (visual, smell, taste, texture, etc.) – the fearful amygdala becomes hyperactive while the rational prefrontal cortex struggles to get back in the driver’s seat. This disconnection between the logical and emotional parts of our brain leads the body to respond to the trauma as if it were happening presently. As such, trauma survivors often feel powerless to process or make sense of their experiences—because the emotional brain is operating in a heightened state, bypassing the logical thought processes that could provide perspective.
How EMDR Facilitates Healing
In EMDR therapy, the therapist will use bilateral stimulation, an increase of communication between the brain’s left and right hemispheres, to help you process difficult memories. This technique is achieved through back-and-forth eye movements, tapping, and sounds.
Studies indicate that the bilateral stimulation in EMDR synchronizes brain waves, much like REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, the sleep stage responsible for dreaming and processing memories. Such synchronization calms the amygdala and invites the hippocampus to process traumatic memories throughout both hemispheres. Like sleep, the EMDR therapy process gradually reduces the emotional intensity associated with the memory, helping to shift it from being a vivid, overwhelming experience into a more neutral, integrated part of your past.
The Neurological Effects of EMDR
Research using functional magnetic resonance imaging among other techniques has documented that EMDR therapy is associated with measurable neurobiological changes.
Deactivates the Amygdala: The amygdala shows less activity following EMDR treatment, thus helping to reduce the emotional intensity of traumatic memories.
A More Active Prefrontal Cortex: Whereas trauma shrinks the regions of the prefrontal cortex, EMDR expands the prefrontal cortex’s ability to manage intense memories without becoming emotionally overwhelmed. No longer inhibited by an overactive amygdala, the prefrontal cortex becomes more readily alert to process information.
An Increase in Hippocampal Size: EMDR promotes integration of traumatic memories stored in the hippocampus with various other parts of the brain. This use of the hippocampus not only increases its volume, but also enables the individual to differentiate between past trauma and present experiences.
EMDR Therapy: A Pathway to Empowerment
EMDR works on rewiring the brain’s response to trauma, and this is the beauty of EMDR. It does not “erase” our memories but changes how they are stored and integrated. As such, we are not bound to our painful pasts, but instead have the choice to develop our own adaptive narratives.
Who is EMDR therapy for?
In addition to helping those with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, EMDR has been effective in treating a wide range of other emotional challenges, including anxiety, phobias, addiction, and depression. Whether the trauma was due to physical or sexual abuse, accidents, phobias, or other events, EMDR offers a pathway to healing by targeting the root cause of emotional pain.
At Mindful Path Counselling, we provide a supportive environment to help the person warmly approach their suffering. If you feel ready to know more about EMDR therapy and undertake the necessary steps toward healing, we are here to guide you through the process.
