Does EMDR Work? (Yes)
Look, we love EMDR. We’re trained in it, we use it every day, and we think it’s amazing. But we are also all trained in being critical thinkers. We don’t want to just blindly accept something as good or valid without doing our due diligence. So, the question is, does EMDR work? And does it work more than just what we want to believe it does. The short answer is yes, EMDR is effective. The longer answer is below – let’s look at some research. Although this isn’t an exhaustive list at all, it does highlight some of the research and effectiveness of EMDR. A PubMed search shows 134 results for EMDR and that’s certainly not a complete list of research studies.
What Is EMDR?
In a nutshell, and if this is new information to you or if you're looking into it for the first time, EMDR was created in the late 1980s by Dr. Francine Shapiro primarily to assist individuals dealing with trauma; however nowadays its employed for addressing an array of mental health concerns such as anxiety disorder mood disorders, like depression and specific fears or phobias.
The basis of it is that EMDR focuses on helping clients reprocess traumatic memories in a way that reduces their emotional impact. The therapy involves recalling distressing events while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation. This can be eye movements, tactile stimulation (companies make buzzers for your hands or by tapping on alternative sides of a body like knees), or beeps/tones that play back and forth between ears, more often used in teletherapy. Research shows they’re all pretty much equally effective.
The Research Behind EMDR: Let’s Take a Gander
Thankfully we have a lot of research around EMDR. Since the 80s there have been a significant number of studies that have looked at different populations, applications, diagnoses, and approaches. Although trauma/PTSD has been the most studied and has the most significant research, there’s plenty of other research also. All that said, let’s take a look at some examples.
EMDR and PTSD Treatment
One of the most significant areas of research has been the use of EMDR for treating PTSD. A study by the Bull Meninger Clinic evaluated the efficacy of EMDR compared to a no-treatment wait-list for PTSD in female sexual assault victims. Given that around 81% of women experience sexual assault or harassment in their lifetimes, this is an important area of treatment. Results showed that participants that went through EMDR improved significantly on PTSD and depression.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9260344/
EMDR Beyond PTSD
While PTSD or trauma processing is the most commonly researched protocol, its also been studied for anxiety, depression, chronic pain, unipolar depression, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorder.. The studies highlighted EMDR’s ability to reduce not only the psychological distress associated with these conditions but also some of the physical symptoms, such as pain, that often accompany them.
https://academic.oup.com/painmedicine/article/15/2/247/1824706
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01668/full
EMDR and OCD
There has been EMDR research around obsessive and compulsive tendencies, including official OCD diagnosis. One such study looked at obsessive thoughts and trauma related to COVID-19. It showed that clients perceptions of their bodies was able to predict both disgust and guilt and shame which predicted obsessive-compulsive symptoms. It found that EMDR was effective by improving the emotions of guilt, shame, and disgust.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38988736/
Long-Term Effects of EMDR
Look, we all appreciate and want a quick fix. With that though, it’s also equally important to have treatments that have lasting results. Thankfully this is one the wonderful strengths of EMDR. A study published in The Journal of Anxiety Disorders in 2005 followed up with clients one year after completing EMDR therapy and found that the majority maintained the benefits they had gotten from EMDR. This long-term efficacy is particularly important for those who have struggled with chronic PTSD and other trauma-related disorders. It also shows the importance of EMDR compared to medications that provide mediocre benefits that also require constant medication to maintain benefits compared to EMDR which is a completed treatment.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17284128/
Neuroscientific Evidence Supporting EMDR
Our knowledge of the brains functioning is still relatively new compared to other parts/organs and research is ongoing to understand how EMDR therapy operates; however there is increasing evidence from neuroscience that backs its efficacy up. There have been MRI studies indicating that EMDR therapy can trigger alterations in brain functioning linked to the handling of distressful memories. A particular study demonstrated the activity in the amygdala (brains fear hub) well as, in the prefrontal cortex (involved in decision making and emotional control). These brain changes serve to emphasize the impact of EMDR on the brain and explain why it consistently yields long term benefits, for other related conditions.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23049852/
EMDR in Special Populations – Examples for Children and Veterans
EMDR has also been studied in various special populations, such as children, veterans, and survivors of natural disasters. A good example of this is a study from Argentina that utilized group EMDR (also an interesting application) for flood victims. It showed significantly reduced trauma and PTSD symptoms in the children who had gone through this flood. Similar results have been shown for veterans and first responders (e.g. EMS and firefighters).
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2009-06705-003
Endorsement by Major Health Organizations
EMDRs effectiveness has been backed by research. Acknowledged by top healthcare bodies such as the American Psychological Association (APA). The APA and the World Health Organization (WHO) have. Endorsed EMDR as a recommended therapy for PTSD cases, in various age groups including children and adults. Clinical practice guidelines for addressing PTSD and the World Health Organizations recommendations from 2013, on managing stress related conditions. American Psychological Association. (2017). Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of PTSD. and World Health Organization. (2013). Guidelines for the management of conditions specifically related to stress..
Why People Choose EMDR
So, why do people opt for EMDR over other types of therapy?
Efficiency: Speed matters when we’re struggling with trauma, anxiety, depression, or whatever else is bringing us pain or discomfort. With EMDR, it often requires fewer sessions than traditional talk therapy to get positive and lasting results. While each person’s experience is different, this can be in as few as a couple sessions.
Focus on Trauma: For individuals dealing with specific traumatic events, EMDR can provide a pretty targeted approach. After finding the specific trauma to work on, EMDR therapists are able to start with that trauma and help maintain the focus on it. Although a lot of trauma can be tied together, and there are correlated benefits, being able to stay focused on whatever is bothering you the most is appealing.
Minimal Talking: Unlike some forms of therapy that require you to talk extensively about your past, EMDR doesn’t require that. For our clients, the information can be as simple as approximate age of the trauma, a scale of 0-10 on how strong it feels today in the present moment, and a description of the triggered feeling state (thoughts and belief, emotions, and physical sensations). We don’t need an in-depth description that can be retraumatizing.
Holistic Approach: EMDR helps with both the cognitive or mental part of trauma, as well as the somatic or body part. This integration of mind and body is becoming clearer as the field of therapy evolves so having a treatment that attends to both is hugely beneficial.
Is EMDR Right for You?
Although most people can benefit, it’s not always the perfect fit at the right time. Here are some factors to consider:
Readiness: EMDR can bring up intense emotions so gauging your current ability to process those is important. Thankfully part of the EMDR process is ‘resourcing’ which helps with preparation, but we can also look at and work on other areas of your life prior to starting EMDR such as social supports or home stability.
Willingness to Engage: EMDR is an active and engaged process. With that, we need some buy-in to commit to the process and commit to growth. With discomfort and effort comes growth, whether it’s with therapy or just about any other area of your life.
Past Experiences with Therapy: Previous therapy options that may or may not have been helpful can inform whether EMDR is a good fit. What did you find helpful and not helpful in the past? This can be great to discuss with a current or potential EMDR therapist.
Therapist’s Expertise: It’s helpful to find highly trained, qualified, and experienced therapists (like the ones at EMDR Therapy Nashville). Unfortunately, not everyone has easy access to that depending on where you live in the country or world.
Conclusion: The Promise of EMDR
EMDR provides a method for recovering from trauma and various emotional struggles with strong support from research and endorsements by prominent health bodies making it a popular choice for individuals grappling with PTSD and similar conditions. If you are facing lingering trauma or other obstacles, in life considering EMDR could be beneficial –. Remember like any therapy finding a skilled therapist to support you through the journey and ensure it suits your needs is crucial.
Deciding to try EMDR therapy is a choice that requires understanding its process and the research supporting it to make an informed decision on whether it could benefit your healing journey. If you want to start that journey, reach out to us today.