Hello, My name is Hong Jeong and I’m an EMDR therapist located in Downtown Los Angeles. In this video, I will demonstrate an EMDR therapy session. So you can get an idea of how EMDR works. EMDR therapy can help you deal with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), anxiety, depression, stress, etc.
Trauma can cause anxiety, depression, stress, low self-esteem, relationship issues, and performance problems. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidenced based therapy for treating trauma. Francine Shapiro developed EMDR therapy in 1987. EMDR therapy has been helpful in healing trauma as evidenced by many empirical and clinical outcomes. EMDR therapy is very different than talk therapy. It specifically targets memories of trauma such as neglect, abuse, and/or violence. Each client’s experience with EMDR is different. However, EMDR has helped many individuals reduce emotional distress such as anxiety, depression, anger, and fear. My hope in this video is to help you understand what really happens during an EMDR session.
*Disclaimer*- This is Clinical EMDR Therapy Demonstration. EMDR therapy should only be conducted by a properly trained EMDR therapist.
Preparation Phase:
One of the key elements in EMDR therapy is the bilateral stimulation, which is similar to REM (Rapid Eye Movement) during deep sleep. During EMDR therapy sessions, a therapist guides the client through a series of bilateral stimulation (rhythmic left-right pattern) while the client recalls a traumatic event. There are various forms of bilateral stimulation, including eye movements and tactile method.
In this video, I’m demonstrating the tactile method, called Butterfly Hug Technique.
Butterfly Hug Technique: Interlock your thumbs to make the butterfly’s body and place your both hands gently on the center of your chest. Then we’re going to tap at the speed of my tapping sounds. It is important to alternate the movement of your hands (left and right-back and forth).
Let’s practice! Please move your hands freely and close your eyes partially or fully. You can breathe slowly and deeply while you observe what is going through your mind and body.
How was your experience with the Butterfly Hug Technique?
This is EMDR Therapy Demonstration. EMDR therapy should only be conducted by a properly trained EMDR therapist.
Assessment Phase:
What’s the worst part of that stressful situation?
When thinking about the worst part, what picture do you see?
For example, when I was stuck in traffic, I see myself in the car and making a frowny face and my wife was looking at me.
As you look at the pick on your mind’s eye or think about that situation, What emotions do you notice?
Where do you notice those emotions in your body?
For example, I can notice my face gets tensed up and neck is stiff.
On a scale of 0 to 10 (0 being neutral and 10 being the most intense you can feel physically and emotionally), how much does that memory bother you? Or how intense do you feel physically and emotionally?
When you think about the memory or see the picture, what negative words go with that memory about you using I-statements?
For example, you can say “I was not in control, I was not good enough, I was helpless, or I was weak.”
Lastly, what positive words do you want to believe about yourself using I-statements?
For example, you can say I’m good enough, I’m worthy, I’m stronger, so on and so forth.
When you think of your stressful situation, how true do those positive words feel to you on a scale of 0 to 7 (0 being completely false and 10 being completely true)?
Desensitization phase:
Partially or fully close yourself and visualize a screen in your mind’s eye. Bring up the picture of your stressful situation, physical sensations, emotions, and the negative words.
Please make your butterfly and place it on the center of your chest.
Let whatever happens happen. You can start tapping at the speed of my tapping sounds.
Make sure you stay with the tapping and the screen.
Go back to that memory and bring up the picture. How much does the memory bother you? In other words, how intense do you feel about the memory now on a scale of 0 to 10 (0 being neutral and 10 being the most intense you can feel physically and emotionally).
Let’s try it again. Make your butterfly and place it on the center of your chest. You can visual a screen in your mind’s eye and bring up the picture, physical sensations, emotions, and words associated with the memory.
You can start tapping at the speed of my tapping sounds. Again, let whatever happens happen. You are in control of the whole process.
Go back to that memory and bring up the picture. How much does the memory bother you? In other words, how intense do you feel about the memory now on a scale of 0 to 10 (0 being neutral and 10 being the most intense you can feel physically and emotionally).
How are you feeling now?
Did you number decrease or increase?
Can you tell me what was helpful and unhelpful?
What prevents your number from going down?
Installation Phase:
Let’s check in with your positive words. Please repeat your positive words to yourself. How true do those positive words feel to you now on a scale of 0 to 7 (0 being completely false and 7 being completely false)?
What has helped you believe in your positive words?
What prevents you from believing your positive words completely?
Closure:
We will stop here and you have done some very good work. Your brain will continue processing and you decide what’s worth keeping and letting go. I’d encourage you to practice your relaxation techniques after our session.
I hope you find my EMDR therapy demonstration helpful.
If you are interested in EMDR therapy or have any questions or concerns, please schedule your free consultation with me.
Take Care of Yourself and Do Your Healing Every day!