EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing
Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing, or EMDR, is a psychological treatment that has been used for more than 20 years and enables people to heal from trauma, traumatic memories and other disturbing and negative experiences. Although originally developed to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), EMDR has also been used successfully as a component in the treatment of panic, anxiety, grief, eating disorders, phobias and addictions.
Why EMDR?
EMDR has many advantages over other treatment approaches, but we believe the biggest advantage is that EMDR shows comparable results to other trauma-focused therapies (such as Prolonged Exposure), but over a much shorter time frame.
"Often disturbing events happen in our lives that stay with us. The brain cannot process information as it ordinarily does. One moment can become ‘frozen in time’ and remembering the trauma may feel as bad as going through it for the first time. This is because the images, sounds, smells and feelings still seem to be there – they haven’t changed. Such memories have a lasting negative effect that interferes with the way a person sees the world and the way that they relate to other people.
EMDR has a positive effect on how the brain processes information. Following an EMDR session, the person no longer relives the trauma. They still recall that an incident happened, but it no longer feels upsetting."
The exert above is from the EMDR Association of Australia's (EMDRAA) website. For a complete list of their EMDR FAQ, please visit their website at https://emdraa.org/what-is-emdr. You can find out more about trauma and why it occurs on our dedicated trauma page.
Evidence for EMDR
EMDR has been noted as a Level 1 treatment for PTSD by the Australian Psychological Society (APS). This is the highest level of endorsement. It is also a recommended treatment in the practice guidelines of well-renowned Australian and international bodies, such as:
- Phoenix Australia - the Centre for Posttraumatic Health
- American Psychiatric Association
- US Department of Veterans Affairs
- World Health Organisation
- The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
What happens during EMDR?
If you research the EMDR treatment processes, you will probably find Francine Shapiro's eight-phase treatment model for EMDR. These phases include history taking, client preparation, assessment, desensitisation, installation, body scan, closure and reevaluation. While it is helpful for psychologists to structure EMDR sessions, these phases can be difficult to understand. Instead, we find it helpful to consider EMDR in three simpler phases.
Like any therapy, the first phase of EMDR includes history-taking and treatment planning. During this phase, your psychologist will get to know you and your reasons for seeking EMDR therapy. Your psychologist will also discuss specific techniques to help you cope with any emotions that may arise during therapy.
After the initial phase, your psychologist will work with you to identify a particular traumatic memory to target with EMDR. Emotions and physical sensations associated with memory will be noted down. Once a target memory is chosen, the desensitisation process can begin. This involves the client focusing on the memory while the therapist provides some form of bilateral stimulation.
Bilateral stimulation refers to the process of alternately stimulating the left and right sides of your brain. Imagine it as a ping-pong game where the ball moves back and forth, stimulating one side of the table—or your brain—and then the other. Typically, this is side-to-side eye movement but may include sounds or tactile feedback.
At the end of each session, your psychologist will help you return to a state of calm. Your psychologist will also evaluate the session, whether any changes have occurred and decide how best to structure future sessions.
Learn more about EMDR
This short animated video may help you get an understanding of EMDR and how it works:
Our EMDR Psychologists in Perth
Mindstate Psychology is a highly experienced team of registered and clinical psychologists, many of whom have additional training and accreditation in providing EMDR therapy from the EMDR Association of Australia (EMDRAA).
Depending on your psychological needs, your practitioner may decide to use EMDR during a therapy session, including to overcome negative experiences and negative beliefs associated with trauma. Your practitioner will always talk to you about what they are doing and what to expect prior to starting. Similarly, if you think EMDR will be beneficial, you can talk to your practitioner about trying EMDR, or contact us to book a session.
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Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR in Perth
Here are some frequently asked questions about getting EMDR Therapy in in Perth.
What is EMDR and how does it work?
EMDR, or eye movement desensitisation reprocessing is a psychological therapy that is used to help individuals reprocess process traumatic events in a way that reduces distressing memories and ongoing distress from trauma. It was pioneered in the late 1980s, and is currently used worldwide.
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to target trauma memory networks, reducing their somatic and emotional charge and ultimately leading to a reduction in PTSD symptoms. EMDR can reduce negative memories, body sensations, and emotional distress associated with traumatic symptoms.
How much does EMDR cost in Perth?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a type of psychological therapy and is not necessarily a standalone service. There is no additional charge for a psychologist to use EMDR during a therapy session, and you can discover the fees for therapy here.
EMDR therapy sessions typically last for 50 minuets and are eligible for rebate by Medicare or other private health services.
Is EMDR covered by Medicare?
Yes, EMDR is a recognised treatment for trauma and other psychological conditions by Medicare. Medicare will provide a rebate for up to 10 sessions of psychological therapy per calendar year. EMDR is also covered by private insurers, such as HBF and BUPA, and other government insurers, such as DVA. You can find out more about fees and rebates for therapy here.
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
It is difficult to determine how many EMDR sessions you will need until you have had an initial consultation and developed a treatment plan with your psychologist. Some clients may completely resolve their trauma memory in as little as one EMDR session, however most clients require more than one session (dependent upon the level and complexity of their disturbing memories). Sometimes, your psychologist may recommend incorporating additional therapeutic approaches with EMDR.
What evidence exists to support the use of EMDR?
There is a wide range of evidence, including randomised controlled trials, suggesting that EMDR is an effective approach for the treatment of trauma, such as reducing distressing memories and emotional distress. It is such an effective treatment that it is recommended by the Australian Psychological Society, the World Health Organisation, and many other leading experts in mental health and trauma.
More recently, EMDR has been proven as an effective component in treating other mental health issues, such as anxiety disorders, grief, eating disorders, phobias and addictions, when used in conjunction with other evidence-based therapies.
Can any practitioner provide EMDR treatment?
EMDR is an advanced psychotherapy that requires a high level of skill and only experienced mental health professionals who are fully registered with a professional association can apply to undertake EMDR therapy training. You should only receive EMDR therapy from EMDR-trained psychologists, clinical psychologists, or psychiatrists.
Mindstate Psychology’s clinical psychologists have extensive experience and training in the use of EMDR as a form of treatment for a broad range of psychological conditions, including traumatic experiences and general psychological issues.
