EMDR: NOT JUST ABOUT THE PAST
EMDR is generally known as a treatment that addresses past events so that they no longer negatively impact us in the present. This is completely true, and it is not the full extent of what EMDR can do. EMDR therapy uses what is called the three-pronged approach, which refers to the attention it pays to the past, present, and future.
As described by the EMDR International Association, EMDR alleviates symptoms and disturbances associated with past experiences, addresses current triggers to decrease sensitivity to them, and helps build skills and confidence to navigate possible future challenges. Curious about what this looks likes in practice? Keep reading to learn more.
the flow of emdr work
When you first start EMDR therapy, your therapist will collaborate with you to pinpoint what symptoms or issues you are struggling with in the present. Examples could include anxiety (general or related to specific situations), anger, flashbacks, difficulty speaking up for yourself, and more. From here, your therapist will explore with you past experiences that may have created or reinforced these issues.
If you and your therapist are able to identify relevant past experiences, you will start your work addressing those. The reason for this is that sometimes present and future-based issues or concerns resolve naturally once the past-focused material they stem from is neutralized.
For some, even after working through all significant past experiences there might be residual symptoms in the present or worries for the future. When this is the case, EMDR can also be utilized on present and future-based targets to achieve full symptom relief and greater peace overall.
A Case Example
To illustrate the full process, let’s say you started EMDR therapy due to experiencing anxiety related to driving. You and your therapist identify in your early sessions that the anxiety started after a serious car accident two years prior. You start by doing EMDR on this past experience until you can think about it without any emotional or physical reactivity.
Afterward you’re feeling really happy that the car accident no longer feels like it is burdening you. You notice, however, that you are still experiencing some lingering anxiety while driving under certain circumstances, like at night or when the weather is bad. You and your therapist can then address these present-oriented triggers using EMDR until they feel more neutral and you feel more capable of driving in variable conditions.
You are now feeling a lot better driving day-to-day. You realize though that you are having quite a bit of anxiety about an upcoming visit to a national park when you will be driving on narrow and winding roads. You’re concerned that you won’t be able to enjoy your trip because of the discomfort anticipating having to drive and actually driving may cause. You and your therapist can choose to target this future-oriented concern with EMDR to minimize the anxiety surrounding it and build your sense of self-assurance to take on difficult situations.
What If There is Nothing from the Past I Want to Address?
Sometimes you might struggle with something in the present but not be able to identify any particular past life experiences that you think underlie it. You might think that you wouldn’t be a good candidate for EMDR therapy because there is nothing from the past that you can think to work on, but this is not necessarily the case.
Again, your therapist will always explore with you potential past contributors. There is often something there, even if it’s not immediately obvious. If nothing stands out though, we can work with present-based triggers for current symptoms or struggles in the absence of clear past experiences that have informed them. We can also do work to instill greater confidence in your ability to navigate future challenging or anxiety-provoking situations if relevant.
Is EMDR for Me?
To summarize, EMDR is not just about helping us feel better about the past. Its three-pronged approach ensures that we address present symptoms/issues holistically so that you feel more peaceful and capable of enjoying life now and in the future.
Whether or not there are obvious past events that you would want to work on in EMDR, you could likely benefit from EMDR therapy if present challenges or symptoms have you feeling limited or held back from living your fullest life. If you are interested in EMDR therapy and want to learn more about how it could be applied in your individual circumstances, contact me today to learn more.
