In this article, you will discover what EMDR consists of, what are its principles, its history, its benefits, but also how to train in EMDR, how a session takes place as well as its effectiveness in view of the scientific literature. 

The acronym EMDR comes from the English Eye Movement Desentitization and Reprocessing, which in French means “Desensitization and Retreatment by Ocular Movements”.

Originally developed in the late 80s by Francine Shapiro, this technique has become popular for its effectiveness in treating post-traumatic stress disorder and phobias. A full-fledged therapeutic technique, EMDR follows a rigorous procedure with the particularity of using bilateral stimulation (which can be visual, tactile or sound). This would have the ability to recode negatively encoded images, perceptions and memories in the emotional brain and thus reduce their negative impact on the individual’s life.

The principles of EMDR

The goal of EMDR is therefore to decrease the emotional load associated with a traumatic memory. To do this, the subject must dive back into their stressful emotions intensely while the therapist periodically interrupts the experience to induce sensory stimulation, such as moving their fingers quickly in front of the person’s face. The rhythmic movement of the two eyes would be the same as that which takes place spontaneously when an individual dreams (during the phase called Rapid Eye Movement).

This stimulation would make it possible to restructure the traumatic information in the cortex and no longer in the limbic brain, linked to emotions. Indeed, it is because the memory could not be processed by the cortex and because it overinvested the emotional brain that the symptoms appear and persist. Recoding induced by eye movements reduces the emotional load associated with memory.

Normally, this process is natural and spontaneous, which is why some traumas leave little mark. But when the trauma is too severe, or the individual is in a period of invulnerability, this process fails and gives way to symptoms. This is where EMDR is effective.

In general, EMDR can generate positive feelings, facilitate awareness and change beliefs and behaviors. This technique is also used in order to strengthen the internal resources of the patient, thus allowing him to adopt the desired changes. Thus, it is effective in treating several more specific disorders:

Reduce symptoms related to post-traumatic stress

Many scientific studies have shown the effectiveness of EMDR on this condition. In a 2009 study on the effect of EMDR therapy in the management of traumatic grief, the results revealed a decrease in traumatic grief, anxiety, depression and psychological distress in patients. participants. Plus, another study found the greater effectiveness of EMDR therapy over placebos and antidepressants. Indeed, after 6 months, 57% of the 88 patients no longer had symptoms thanks to EMDR. However, some authors have reported that the positive effects of EMDR on symptoms did not last for six months and five years after treatment. Thus, EMDR has proven itself to help victims of war, crime, sexual assault …

Reduce chronic pain

The results of EMDR in the treatment of chronic pain are encouraging. This would reduce pain sensations thanks to an improvement in the physical and emotional perception of pain, and reduce negative affects, levels of anxiety and depression related to pain.

Treat phobias

Several studies have also sought to verify the effectiveness of EMDR in the treatment of phobias. However, the lack of scientific literature and research on this subject does not allow us to reach real conclusions even if it appears that EMDR would still have positive effects on phobic symptoms.

How to apply the EMDR method?

In order to practice EMDR, you must have completed training. This is made up of 50% theoretical courses and 50% practical exercises and has two levels accompanied by a supervision cycle. Access to this training is reserved for psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, occupational psychologists and psychotherapists.

How does an EMDR session work?

The EMDR session begins with a preparatory interview aimed at gathering information on the patient. This will be done through a deep exploration of the patient’s problem as well as a serious history. Next, the therapist will ask his patient to think about the traumatic memory and assess on a scale its emotional impact. This evaluation will serve as a benchmark to assess the effectiveness of the therapy as the sessions progress.

After that, the therapist asks the subject to visualize the event causing the problem and to maintain concentration. The representation can be visual, emotional, cognitive or physical. At times during the process, the therapist subjects the subject to a sensory stimulus affecting both sides of the body. These could be movements in front of the eyes, sounds on either side of the head, or tapping on both arms. Then the process resumes, and so on several times. Between each stimulation, there may be a dialogue between the therapist and the patient about the perceptions, emotions and sensations related to this event, but not necessarily.

EMDR, is it really effective?

EMDR has been the subject of numerous conclusive studies, which is why this technique is recognized in the scientific community and by some official bodies (INSERM, WHO) in the treatment of post-traumatic stress syndrome. However, it is not more effective than other psychological approaches aimed at treating trauma according to some studies.

In addition, other studies have shown that the eye movements so characteristic of this technique are not necessary for the therapeutic process.

In 1979, Francine Shapiro learned of her cancer, which led her to explore the links between stress, mental activity and illness. After resuming her studies in psychology and obtaining a doctorate, it was while walking in a park that she was brought on the trail of EMDR. Assailed with dark thoughts and ruminations, she realized that when she moved her eyes from left to right, it reduced negative thoughts, and lessened their emotional charge when those thoughts reappeared. She therefore hypothesized a link between the two events. A few months of experimentation on herself followed, then with her relatives, and finally with her clients in psychotherapy.