EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing in Geelong
Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) is a unique method of therapy which is particularly effective in the treatment of trauma. However, it can also be utilised in the treatment of other mental health concerns such as:
- NAnxiety
- NDepression
- NPost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- NComplex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD)
- NAddictions
- NConfidence concerns
- NRelationship issues
- NFlashbacks
- NNightmares
- NPhobias
- NChronic grief
- N Chronic pain
We have multiple therapists at Create Balance who are trained in EMDR therapy:
Book with Shannon
Book with Dan
Book with Krisi
Book with Samuel
Neuro-Auricular Modulation for EMDR:
EMDR bypasses the trauma memory’s stored neural circuit by activating an alternative circuit through lateral eye movements as the person focuses on the traumatic event.
This activation of new neural circuits interrupts the out-of-control nerve impulses that maintain anxious or fearful thoughts. Auricular techniques are used to activate the same mechanisms that have been shown to help with associative memory recall through eye movement desensitization and reprocessing EMDR and restoration of dual attention, bypassing any requirement for cognitive (e.g., prefrontal cortex) involvement.
Shannon, the director of Create Balance Psychotherapy and Counselling, is leading neuro-auricular methods for EMDR at his practice in Geelong. He has partnered with the Canadian Institute of Auricular Medicine (CIAM) to enhance mental health conditions’ dynamic and highly effective treatment.
View additional videos:
Neuro-auricular Methods for EMDR: Move beyond defense mechanism, targeting, & processing challenges
Targeting: Neuro-auricular methods for EMDR to support target identification & prioritization
Processing: Neuro-auricular methods for EMDR when client is “stuck” and SUDs are not decreasing
EMDR treats a wide range of mental health concerns. Feel free to chat with our staff to find out if EMDR can help you with your wellbeing issues.
How EMDR works
EMDR involves the rapid movement of a client’s eyes, taxing their working memory and enabling them to reprogram their brain. This in turn alleviates and even extinguishes the continuing effects of painful thoughts and memories. As well as visual bilateral stimulation, EMDR can also use tactile and auditory stimulation.
Experienced EMDR Psychotherapists
All the Create Balance’s therapists are trained in the practice of EMDR therapy, including Shannon, who is an EMDRAA Australia Accredited Practitioner. Our therapists have achieved great success with clients who present with persistently distressing mental health concerns.
Eight Phases of EMDR
When engaged in EMDR, you will be involved in an eight phase comprehensive therapy, which is described in more detail below. Although you may find that you experience rapid relief, it is important to complete all eight phases.
EMDR Treatment Length
These phases are fluid and may be explored at different times depending on what is appropriate during the sessions after assessing the clients mental health concerns. The total length of treatment will vary for each client, depending on their needs, the complexity of their concerns and even their personality. A phase of EMDR may take just a few minutes for one client but several weeks for another.
Download our EMDR Brochure
Real People Share Their Experience of EMDR Therapy
EMDR Explained
8 Phases of EMDR Therapy
EMDR Explained
8 Phases of EMDR Therapy
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History and Treatment Planning
- The first phase includes a discussion about why you have engaged in therapy, including specific problems from the past, as well as any associated problem behaviours and symptoms. Some clients don’t feel comfortable in sharing specifics of their concerns; EMDR is unique in that just a general picture or outline is enough for your therapist to develop a successful treatment plan. Your personalised plan will target past and present problems and identify the skills and behaviours that would be beneficial for the future.
-
Preparation
- A trusting and honest relationship with your therapist is essential to the success of EMDR. This does not mean that you must share all details from your disturbing memories but you do need to accurately report how you are feeling during therapy and any changes you may experience. Your therapist will provide a safe and supportive environment by explaining the theory behind EMDR, how it is conducted and what you can expect during and after the treatment. They will also support you by sharing a range of relaxation techniques to utilise while confronting any traumatic feelings, thoughts and memories.
-
Assessment
- During the assessment part of phase three, your therapist will ask you to focus on particular moments, thoughts or beliefs from the disturbing experiences identified in phase one. You will be asked to identify any emotions and physical sensations that are triggered in response to these focussed thoughts and then asked to rate your feelings on a scale. You will also be asked to think of a belief or behaviour that you endeavour to experience in your future and rate your feelings once more on the scale.
- After assessment is completed, the reprocessing of distress is conducted. It does not require you to talk about your trauma if you don’t want to – your eyes do all the work. (Other forms of bi-lateral stimulation are also possible, such as taps or tones. Feel free to contact Create Balance to find out more.) Your therapist may continue to guide you through assessing and reprocessing your thoughts multiple times until your distress decreases. This may happen gradually but it is even possible for it to happen rapidly.
-
Desensitisation
- After assessment and reprocessing, the primary disturbing memories and thoughts may have changed or shifted. Your therapist will work on targeting any associated or related distress that may have arisen. This will enable you to feel a sense of holistic empowerment.
-
Installation
- The fifth phase focuses on strengthening and instilling the belief or behaviour that you endeavoured to experience in your future. The aim is for your original negative beliefs to be replaced by positive beliefs. Sometimes logic may inhibit you from accepting that you have completely achieved your positive belief or behaviour goal but your therapist can help you to identify what will help you get there.
-
Body Scan
- During this phase, your therapist will ask you to recall the original negative thoughts, memories or experiences that caused you distress and to note whether you have any physical sensations. Studies have found that trauma can be stored as a physical memory, rather than a narrative memory. If you do experience a physical reaction, it can indicate unresolved thoughts and these would be targeted for reprocessing.
-
Closure
- At the conclusion of every EMDR session, it is important that you leave feeling better than you did at the beginning. If the reprocessing of a traumatic experience is not completed within a single session, then your therapist will guide you through several self-calming techniques. You will always be in control during the EMDR sessions but it is particularly important that you continue to feel in control when leaving the consulting room. Your therapist will discuss what to expect between sessions and how to manage your feelings and reactions should any negative thoughts and feelings resurface or if any are newly triggered.
-
Re-evaluation
- If EMDR treatment occurs over multiple sessions, your therapist, at the beginning of each new session, will check in with your positive results to ensure they have been maintained, identify any new areas that need treatment and continue reprocessing targeted trauma.
01. History and Treatment Planning
- The first phase includes a discussion about why you have engaged in therapy, including specific problems from the past, as well as any associated problem behaviours and symptoms. Some clients don’t feel comfortable in sharing specifics of their concerns; EMDR is unique in that just a general picture or outline is enough for your therapist to develop a successful treatment plan. Your personalised plan will target past and present problems and identify the skills and behaviours that would be beneficial for the future.
02. Preparation
- A trusting and honest relationship with your therapist is essential to the success of EMDR. This does not mean that you must share all details from your disturbing memories but you do need to accurately report how you are feeling during therapy and any changes you may experience. Your therapist will provide a safe and supportive environment by explaining the theory behind EMDR, how it is conducted and what you can expect during and after the treatment. They will also support you by sharing a range of relaxation techniques to utilise while confronting any traumatic feelings, thoughts and memories.
03. Assessment
- During the assessment part of phase three, your therapist will ask you to focus on particular moments, thoughts or beliefs from the disturbing experiences identified in phase one. You will be asked to identify any emotions and physical sensations that are triggered in response to these focussed thoughts and then asked to rate your feelings on a scale. You will also be asked to think of a belief or behaviour that you endeavour to experience in your future and rate your feelings once more on the scale.
- After assessment is completed, the reprocessing of distress is conducted. It does not require you to talk about your trauma if you don’t want to – your eyes do all the work. (Other forms of bi-lateral stimulation are also possible, such as taps or tones. Feel free to contact Create Balance to find out more.) Your therapist may continue to guide you through assessing and reprocessing your thoughts multiple times until your distress decreases. This may happen gradually but it is even possible for it to happen rapidly.
04. Desensitisation
- After assessment and reprocessing, the primary disturbing memories and thoughts may have changed or shifted. Your therapist will work on targeting any associated or related distress that may have arisen. This will enable you to feel a sense of holistic empowerment.
05. Installation
- The fifth phase focuses on strengthening and instilling the belief or behaviour that you endeavoured to experience in your future. The aim is for your original negative beliefs to be replaced by positive beliefs. Sometimes logic may inhibit you from accepting that you have completely achieved your positive belief or behaviour goal but your therapist can help you to identify what will help you get there.
06. Body Scan
- During this phase, your therapist will ask you to recall the original negative thoughts, memories or experiences that caused you distress and to note whether you have any physical sensations. Studies have found that trauma can be stored as a physical memory, rather than a narrative memory. If you do experience a physical reaction, it can indicate unresolved thoughts and these would be targeted for reprocessing.
07. Closure
- At the conclusion of every EMDR session, it is important that you leave feeling better than you did at the beginning. If the reprocessing of a traumatic experience is not completed within a single session, then your therapist will guide you through several self-calming techniques. You will always be in control during the EMDR sessions but it is particularly important that you continue to feel in control when leaving the consulting room. Your therapist will discuss what to expect between sessions and how to manage your feelings and reactions should any negative thoughts and feelings resurface or if any are newly triggered.
08. Re-evaluation
- If EMDR treatment occurs over multiple sessions, your therapist, at the beginning of each new session, will check in with your positive results to ensure they have been maintained, identify any new areas that need treatment and continue reprocessing targeted trauma.