EMDR Therapy in Eugene, Oregon

EMDR starts with a detailed history of the client’s life and experiences, to determine whether EMDR will be effective for the client’s treatment goals.  The therapist evaluates the client’s needs, coping skills, strengths, and current life stressors that may impact treatment. During phase one, establishing rapport between the therapist and the client is of paramount importance, as this is crucial in developing psychological and emotional safety. In addition, the therapist assesses several issues to consider, including physical health issues, neurological impairment history, life stability, social supports, drug and alcohol use, timing, and medication needs, to determine if EMDR is the appropriate therapeutic approach. Phase one includes determining a detailed plan for treatment, which requires evaluating the nature of the traumatic events, description of current symptoms, duration of symptoms, initial cause of disturbances, and additional past occurrences that have contributed to the problems. The client is invited to express their desired state of being. In other words, the client says how they envision themselves healing. Then we identify “target memories,” which are memories chosen for reprocessing in a later phase of treatment.

EMDR phase 2 involves continuing to establish a safe therapeutic relationship, explaining the details of EMDR and its impact, and addressing any client concerns and emotional needs. EMDR therapy in Eugene and all locations includes an explanation of how to utilize the eye movements in the processing stage. I teach the client how to orient themselves into the therapy sessions for maximum benefit. Preparation also includes self-regulation strategies, such as creating a Safe/calm state, which is beneficial for self-soothing.

During the assessment phase, the EMDR therapist in Eugene determines the components of the “target memory.” The target memory is a disturbing memory associated with current distress. The target memory has been determined during phase one. The therapist will ask the client to describe an image in their mind that best represents the target memory, followed by the identification of additional components: negative self-talk associated with the memory, alternative more positive self-talk, a numerical rating of how valid the positive thought feels to the client, emotions associated with the memory,  a rating of how disturbing the memory is, and body sensations associated with the memory. Each component is vital to reprocessing the memory.

Desensitization is guided by the EMDR therapist. During this phase, the therapist will prompt the client to use the eye movements previously taught in phase 2. The therapist will prompt the client to pause periodically and state what is happening with them (whether it is a thought, a mental image, an emotion, a body sensation, or anything else). There are no wrong answers on the client’s part; whatever comes up is supposed to come up. Periodically, the EMDR therapist will ask the client to rate the level of disturbance that they feel while bringing up the target memory. This phase is designed to reduce the level of disturbance to 0 or 1 out of 10 on the rating scale.