Healing Trauma and Emotional Pain with EMDR

For most of the history of psychotherapy, weve had to guess at how the brain really works. Until recently, researchers believed that all brain development occurred before age 5 or so. But as we learn more about Neurology through research and brain imaging we now know that the brain continues to develop throughout our lives.

Now we know that neurons the cells of the brain work in linked clusters or groups. When new information or input is familiar or similar to something from our past, the memory of the past event is often triggered. Game shows that play a snippet of a song rely on this aspect of brain functioning if we know the song, our neurons will access the next several notes or words until we remember the name of the song. Repetition makes neural pathways stronger which is why repetition helps us learn and memorize information.

Emotional wounds tend to be caused in two ways. One of these is Trauma with a capital T. These are usually single, dangerous, often life-threatening events. Rape, combat, abuse, and natural disaster are some examples. The intensity of these events and the emotion that goes with them seem to make the neural pathways very strong. Thats why similar sounds, places, or sensations can trigger flashbacks and emotions that are painful, scary or just too strong for the current situation.

The other way we suffer emotional wounds is much more subtle trauma with a small t. Playground (or workplace) humiliations, frequent criticism, and persistent lack of love or support are some examples of this more common type of trauma. These traumas tend to be less intense when seen as individual events, but they are often chronic. The repetition strengthens neural pathways. As with big T trauma, similar events in the present trigger reactions that are extremely uncomfortable and seem overblown compared to the triggering event.

Whether the trauma is the big T kind or the little t kind, the cluster of neurons associated with it appear to get isolated from other neurons in the brain. Thats why we may know logically that we are safe, that our job is secure, that we are loved but we still experience the painful emotions and body sensations (heart racing, sweating, blushing) that tell us something bad is happening. This process, in turn, can lead us to believe there is something wrong with us which intensifies the problem and makes it even harder to address (because our natural inclination is to avoid feelings of shame).

Our reactions may include intense anxiety, anger, sadness, avoidance, self-blame, low self-esteem, over-eating (drinking, shopping, gambling, working, sexing) or other avoiding/distracting behaviors.

Fortunately, we have a built-in mechanism for healing. Based on recent research on EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) the treatment of choice for trauma theorists believe that eye movements in REM sleep help the neurons associated with trauma connect to the neurons that hold new, more realistic and adaptive information. By stimulating both hemispheres of the brain, it seems that this new information becomes integrated into the old, changing the distorted feelings, beliefs and behaviors.

EMDR therapists simulate the right-left movement of REM sleep by asking clients to watch an object as it moves back and forth (or listen to a tone that moves from right ear to left ear) while discussing disturbing or traumatic thoughts. As a result, most (85%) clients tend to feel immediate relief and are often free of painful symptoms within a few sessions.

Julie Levin is a Marriage and Family Therapist with a practice in Pleasant Hill, CA (near San Francisco). She specializes in the treatment of anxiety and related behaviors including drug and alcohol abuse, overeating, over spending and hoarding/clutter. Julie also offers counseling via phone and web-based video conferencing. For more information, call 925-518-4072 or visit http://www.julielevin.com

Craniosacral Therapy for Back Pain
Craniosacral therapy is a scientifically based system of very light touch manual therapy used for both diagnosis and treatment. While it can be used to treat a variety of problems, it is most well known for its effectiveness in diagnosing and treating problems involving the muscles and spine, and for healing the emotional body. If you suffer from b...

Did You Get Hurt Or Injured? If So-You Should Know This!
If you are hurt or harmed, you are injured. The term injury means damage caused to the structure or function of the body. It may have been caused by accident or inflicted deliberately by an external agent. Or it could have been caused by physical or chemical agent or force. The result may be injured feelings or reputation. It need not be injury to ...

Cause of Lower Back Pain: Associated Symptoms of this Common Malady
Cause of Lower Back Pain can arise out of complex origins and symptoms including identified muscle trauma, or a hitherto unknown non-traumatic event. Moreover Lower back pain can originate in regions other than the back and eventually find its way to the muscles or other structure in the lower back. The origins of lower back pain are many and varie...

Can You Cure Back Pain With Bromelain?
In this article, you will discover:What Is Bromelain?How Can Bromelain Help To Cure Back Pain?How Much Bromelain Do You Need To Take To Help Cure Back Pain?What Is Bromelain?Bromlain is a digestive enzyme which helps to digest protein.Bromlain is derived from pineapples. It is used as a digestive aid and is also good at thinning blood and mucus.Bro...

Combating Discomfort With Back Pain Medication
When it comes to back pain, sufferers can relate that anything goes in the battle to alleviate discomfort. Back pain can significantly disrupt your life leaving you incapable of performing simple activities. And while an evening rest may be a respite for some, for those suffering from back pain, being in bed only leads to restless tossing and turni...

Different Options For Back Pain Relief
When you suffer from back pain, each moment can feel like your longest; there are no activities during which your back pain is not considered; no comfortable nights rest during which the healing process begins and energy is restored. Subsequently, back pain relief becomes first and foremost on the minds of sufferers. Luckily, there are many options...

Recovery From Addictions, Part 2
(This is Part 2 of a 5-part series on addiction).In Part 1 of this series of articles, I defined substance and processaddictions, and described the four major false beliefs that underlie mostaddictions:1. I cant handle my pain. 2. I am unworthy and unlovable.3. Others are my source of love.4. I can have control over how others feel about me and tre...