What is the End Result of EMDR?
EMDR Therapy in Colorado Springs
"How long until I'm cured?" a client jokingly asked me this week as we finished up preparation for EMDR. Our conversation went on to discuss what the end result of EMDR looks like and what's realistic to expect by the time we complete the process. The next day, another client sent me an update on the results of our recent EMDR work in preparation for an upcoming event causing high anxiety, and I thought it painted a very accurate picture of what to expect and what outcomes can look like.
This client and I finished the EMDR process and ended therapy about a year ago after we resolved a traumatic experience with EMDR. The results had stuck, leaving the trauma consistently more neutral, no longer causing continued disturbance in day to day life. Although our work ended successfully, this client reached back out after noticing some distress and anxiety surfacing over an upcoming event connected to the past trauma. We met twice to address the anxiety that had surfaced, processed the fears over the upcoming event to completion, and then agreed that we had accomplished our goal and there was no need to continue meeting. The update sent let me know that the event had passed and it went smoothly, there was no distress leading up to or during it, and it had a positive outcome.
First, this never stops being exciting to me. Another question I was asked this week was, "How is it possible that something that has bothered me for years could be resolved in just hours?" I understand why it seems impossible, but I see it happen all the time with EMDR.
EMDR can process things that have carried weight for years in just a matter of hours
Second, my client's update gave a really great example of what to expect from EMDR. Ordinarily the specific events that we target with EMDR process to a point of resolution where they feel neutral, and then they stay that way - stored as a memory that wasn't good but that no longer carries a strong emotional charge in the present. Memories or triggers that we've processed to this point of neutrality do not tend to resurface with distress again, the results are usually lasting.
The specific events we process with EMDR remain in a neutral state, even after time passes
There may be residue or remnants that surface some time after EMDR is completed. Sometimes there are layers to traumas and painful experiences, and we can successfully resolve one layer and find that there's another that comes to the forefront later. Or there may be a remnant at the periphery of what we processed that's still a bit uncomfortable. When this happens, the processing we've already completed gets carried into the new disturbance that's showing up, and we're able to address this new target and resolve it in a handful of sessions.
Because of the way memory networks work, processing of one event can connect to other events and have a positive impact on those as well
In answer to my client's question, "When will I be cured?"... everyone is different and trauma can be complex to treat, but EMDR is incredibly effective and efficient at resolving traumas and triggers at a deep and lasting level.
