Understanding EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has gained popularity recently as an effective treatment for trauma. This unique approach allows individuals to revisit their traumatic experiences while following their therapist’s instructions to move their eyes back and forth rapidly. The main goal is to help you reprocess those memories so they no longer dominate your thoughts and emotions.
It’s important to note that EMDR won’t erase your trauma; instead, it helps you to view it from a healthier perspective, reducing its control over your life.
Why Can’t You Remember Trauma?
Even though trauma can linger in our bodies and minds, it doesn’t always come with a clear memory. This is especially common for those who experienced trauma in childhood. The brain has a natural protective mechanism that can lead to the repression of painful memories. This often occurs when the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory formation, doesn’t effectively consolidate these experiences. As a result, those memories may become compartmentalized out of your immediate awareness.
Bessel van der Kolk, a leading expert on trauma, notes, “The body keeps the score,” emphasizing that while the memories might be inaccessible, the effects of trauma remain, influencing your emotional and physical well-being.
Is Repression of Trauma Healthy?
At first glance, not recalling a traumatic event might seem beneficial. It can also allow individuals to survive in childhood when control over the environment is minimal. However, unresolved trauma does begin to show up in various negative ways, affecting mental and emotional health over time.
“Trauma is not what happens to you, but what happens inside you as a result of what happens to you,” van der Kolk reminds us. Without addressing those deep-seated feelings, individuals may struggle to cope in healthy ways.
**How EMDR Can Help**
Many people find EMDR appealing because it is different from traditional talk therapy. While your therapist will gather background information, the natural healing occurs during the desensitization and reprocessing phases. EMDR can help you reconceptualize your trauma, allowing you to acknowledge it without feeling overwhelmed.
If you’re concerned about not being able to remember specific details of your trauma, take a moment to relax. You don’t need to recall your experiences completely for EMDR to be effective. Whether you have buried memories from childhood or blocked out distressing events, a general sense of what occurred can still provide a solid foundation for therapy.
Interestingly, as you begin discussing your experiences, you might find more memories emerge. The EMDR process may help you recall additional details you choose to share with your therapist, leading to deeper insights and healing.
Even if you can’t recall every detail, that does not diminish the healing effects of EMDR. Your mind holds onto the trauma, and EMDR can effectively address it, helping you to work through the core issues without needing a complete picture.
If you have endured trauma at any point in your life and find it challenging to remember the specifics, EMDR could be the right choice for you. Don’t hesitate to reach out for more information or to schedule an appointment for EMDR therapy at Highland Healing Center. To speak with one of our HHC therapists, visit our contact page to schedule a free 20-minute phone consultation.
We look forward to connecting with you soon!