How EMDR works for HSPs
Asheville, NC
What is EMDR?
Good Question! Eye Movement Desensitization Therapy, which is a big word for moving the eyes back and forth to mimic the brain’s natural process of organizing memories during a phase of sleep called REM or Rapid Eye Movement sleep.
This back and forth, or bilateral, movement is something the brain is already familiar with. The motion helps speed up connections between different details of an experience that may not even be conscious yet so that accuracy, order, and meaning of the event come into clear focus. Once the meaning is recognized and put into words, the insight from what has happened is able to be separated from unhelpful information. The unhelpful and inaccurate details start to dissipate, and the insight is effectively applied to the future.
In other words, the whole of the event goes through a straining process, letting the unhelpful and inaccurate details wash away. Afterwards, the gems of insight stand alone in order to be actively applied toward an improved quality of life.
How does EMDR help people with HSP?
HSPs’ tendency to notice stimuli on many different levels at once, often leads them to become more easily overstimulated when things are too intense, complex, chaotic, or novel. HSPs also feel others' emotions more intensely. These characteristics often prime them for more emotional damage in the event of witnessing or experiencing perceived deeply disturbing experiences.
EMDR is especially effective at making meaning from specific memories that have been and continue to be traumatic.
The fact that HSPs are sensitive not only to disturbing but also to neutral and positive details increases HSPs chances of benefitting from the resourcing, or hopeful/anecdotal nature embedded in the EMDR process.
No matter which one came first- Neurodiversity or trauma: EMDR Helps heal the memories that are left as a result.
What is it like to go through the EMDR process?
First, we talk about what in general is relaxing and uplifting for you, followed by a string of specific and measurable coping skills designed to ease stress for trigger responses as well as everyday setbacks.
Second, we talk about what you specifically would need more of in the middle of an emotionally intense session, giving color, shape, texture, temperature, and location to the needed concept.
Third, we talk about a theme of stress that seems to thread through your life story. This helps us create a map of specific instances throughout your life starting with the most recent and working backward.
Fourth, we approach each instance one at a time. Each memory we process becomes a creative and improvisational journey including labeling thoughts, feelings, emotions, body sensations, and images while simultaneously using the back and forth movement of the eyes. Insights are brought into awareness complete with all five senses, thoughts, feelings, emotions, and body sensations of their own. Each journey moves toward experiencing the memory while the body is free to relax, knowing the event is in the past and no longer requires a fight or flight body reaction.
Fifth, we discuss a possible future situation that could possibly fit with the overall theme and your desired response to the trigger based on insights that have arisen throughout all the journeys. We practice the image of implementing this response, discussing possible setbacks as well as subsequent desired responses until an overall feeling of mastery is reached regarding the theme.