The Truth: How Long Does EMDR Take for Complex Trauma?
Do you feel that you might be experiencing negative effects of complex trauma? If so, you may be considering Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy to help. EMDR is a type of psychotherapy that’s used to help people process traumatic experiences and reduce the negative impact of those experiences on their lives. If you’re wondering how long EMDR therapy takes for healing complex trauma, the honest answer is that it varies depending on a number of factors - there’s no one-size-fits-all timeline.
Some people may see significant improvement after just a few EMDR sessions, while others may need to continue therapy for several months to experience noticeable changes. The length of time it takes to see results from EMDR therapy depends on several factors, including the severity of your symptoms, the length of time you’ve been experiencing those symptoms, and your overall mental health. Also, some people may require additional therapy or treatments in addition to EMDR to fully address the effects of their complex trauma.
If you’re considering EMDR therapy for your complex trauma, it’s crucial to work with a licensed mental health therapist who has experience practicing EMDR. Your therapist will help you determine the best course of treatment for your individual needs and provide you with the support and guidance you need to heal going forward.
Understanding Complex Trauma
If you’re dealing with the effects of complex trauma, it’s essential to understand what it is, how it affects you and your life, and the treatment options available. Complex trauma is a type of trauma that results from prolonged exposure to traumatic events, particularly during childhood. It can have long-lasting effects on your emotional, behavioral, and cognitive development as you move about as an adult.
Defining Complex Trauma
Complex trauma is different from single-incident trauma, which results from a one-time traumatic event. Complex trauma, on the other hand, is a type of trauma that results from prolonged exposure to traumatic events. These events can be physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, neglect, abandonment, or witnessing violence in the home. The effects of complex trauma are pervasive and can last for many years, even into adulthood. When it goes unaddressed, research suggests that trauma can not only affect your mental health, but your physical health too.
Symptoms and Effects
The symptoms of complex trauma can be both emotional and behavioral. Emotional symptoms include depression, anxiety, anger, shame, guilt, and fear. Behavioral symptoms include aggression, substance abuse, self-harm, and suicidal ideation. Complex trauma can also affect an individual's cognitive development, leading to difficulties with attention, memory, and learning.
One of the most severe effects of complex trauma is the development of Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD). C-PTSD is a type of PTSD that results from prolonged exposure to trauma. The most common symptoms of C-PTSD include flashbacks, nightmares, dissociation, and emotional dysregulation.
If you’re experiencing these symptoms on a regular basis, please reach out to a licensed mental health therapist for help. As a therapist myself, I’ve seen first-hand how much of a positive difference therapy can have. It might not be for everyone, but it’s definitely the right path for some. As an EMDR trained therapist, I enjoy helping my clients navigate and overcome their past traumas allowing them to live a more calm and peaceful life.
Basics of EMDR Therapy
What is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy. It’s a form of psychotherapy that was developed in the late 1980s by Francine Shapiro. EMDR is a structured therapy approach that aims to help individuals process traumatic memories and experiences that are causing them distress and negatively affecting their lives.
EMDR is based on the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, which suggests that the brain has a natural ability to process and integrate information. Traumatic events can interfere with this natural process, leading to the development of symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). EMDR aims to help individuals process these traumatic memories and experiences in a safe and controlled environment, allowing them to integrate the information and move forward in their lives.
How EMDR Works
EMDR therapy involves eight phases, which are designed to help individuals process traumatic memories and experiences. These phases include:
History taking and treatment planning
Preparation
Assessment
Desensitization
Installation
Body scan
Closure
Reevaluation
During the desensitization phase, individuals are asked to recall the traumatic memory while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, taps, or sounds. This bilateral stimulation is thought to help the brain process the traumatic memory and integrate it into the individual's overall memory network.
EMDR therapy has been found to be effective in treating a range of mental health conditions, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and phobias. The length of treatment can vary depending on the individual and the severity of their symptoms. Some individuals may see improvement after just a few sessions, while others may require more extensive treatment.
EMDR Treatment Phases for Complex Trauma
EMDR therapy for complex trauma involves eight phases, each with a specific goal that’s designed to help the client process and integrate traumatic memories. If you’re thinking about pursuing EMDR therapy, then I recommend learning about these phases to gain more awareness about the therapeutic process.
Phase 1: History Taking
The first phase of EMDR treatment involves taking a thorough history of your life, including any traumatic events you’ve experienced. Your therapist will ask questions about your emotional and physical responses to the trauma, as well as any current symptoms you’re experiencing. This information will be used to develop a treatment plan that’s tailored to your specific needs.
Phase 2: Preparation
In the second phase of EMDR treatment, your therapist will teach you coping skills to manage any distress that may arise during the processing of traumatic memories. These coping skills are foundational to helping you throughout your EMDR treatment. Your therapist will also explain the process of EMDR and what to expect during each phase of treatment.
Phases 3-6: Assessment to Installation
These next phases of EMDR treatment involve the assessment and processing of traumatic memories. Your therapist will guide you through a series of eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation while you focus on the traumatic memory. The goal of this phase is to desensitize you to the memory and reduce the emotional distress associated with it. Your therapist will also work with you to install positive beliefs and emotions related to the traumatic event. These phases will move at a pace that’s comfortable for you.
Phases 7-8: Closure and Reevaluation
The final phases of EMDR treatment involve closure and reevaluation. Your therapist will help you to process any remaining emotions related to the traumatic event and ensure that you’re feeling stable and calm. Your therapist will also evaluate the progress made during treatment and determine if any additional reprocessing is necessary.
This full treatment is designed to help you process and integrate traumatic memories in a safe and effective manner. By following the eight phases of EMDR treatment, you can experience a reduction in emotional distress and hopefully an improvement in overall quality of life.
Duration of EMDR Therapy
When it comes to treating complex trauma with EMDR therapy, one of the most common questions is how long it will take to see results. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, there are a few factors that can influence the duration of treatment that you should know about.
Typical Timeline
In general, EMDR therapy for complex trauma can take anywhere from a few sessions to several months. The typical timeline for EMDR therapy involves three phases: assessment, preparation, and treatment.
During the assessment phase, your therapist will work with you to identify the specific traumatic events or experiences that are contributing to your symptoms. This phase can take anywhere from one to several sessions, depending on the complexity of your trauma history.
In the preparation phase, your therapist will work with you to develop a treatment plan and prepare you for the EMDR therapy sessions. This phase can take anywhere from a few sessions to several weeks, depending on your progress and readiness for treatment.
The treatment phase is where the actual EMDR therapy sessions take place. This phase can take anywhere from a few sessions to several months, depending on the severity and complexity of your trauma.
Factors Influencing Duration
Several factors can influence the duration of EMDR therapy for complex trauma. These include:
Severity and complexity of the trauma
The number of traumatic events or experiences
The age at which the trauma occurred
The presence of other mental health conditions
Your overall progress and response to treatment
It's important to keep in mind that EMDR therapy is just one part of a comprehensive treatment plan for complex trauma. Your therapist may recommend additional therapies or interventions to support your overall healing and recovery.
While it's helpful to have realistic expectations about the timeline for treatment, it's also good to focus on your progress and trust the process of EMDR treatment.
Role of the Therapist in EMDR
EMDR therapy is a highly structured treatment approach that requires the therapist to play an active role in guiding you through the process. Their role is to create a safe and supportive environment that allows you to feel comfortable sharing your experiences and emotions (i.e. feel safe and secure enough to enter a mentally vulnerable state).
Building Trust
Building a strong therapeutic relationship based on trust is crucial in EMDR therapy. Your therapist will work to create a safe and supportive environment, where you feel totally at ease sharing your experiences and emotions. Trust is built through active listening, empathy, and validation of your experiences.
Guiding Through Phases
Because the EMDR therapy process is divided into eight phases, the therapist's role is to effectively guide you through each phase. It is imperative that your therapist explain the EMDR therapy process, including the AIP model and the capacity to transform traumatic memories into a much less reactive memory.
Your therapist should confidently help you feel fully prepared and comfortable during each phase before moving on to the next phase. They should also ensure that you have the necessary coping skills to manage any distress that may arise during the EMDR therapy process. As the client, you’ll want to trust your gut if something feels off. Don’t hesitate to speak up and voice any concerns.
Challenges and Considerations
Dealing with Severe Trauma
EMDR therapy can be an effective treatment for complex trauma, but it is undeniably a challenging process. The therapy will likely be emotionally and mentally draining, and it’s essential to have a licensed therapist you trust and feel comfortable around to guide you through the process. You’ll also want to be mindful of when you schedule your EMDR sessions. It might not be a good idea to return to work immediately after undergoing an intense therapy session. As someone experiencing the effects of trauma, you’ll also want to be as kind to yourself as possible throughout this process.
It’s important to note that, during EMDR therapy, you may experience intense emotions and body sensations. Be sure to communicate these sensations to your therapist, who can help you understand and manage them. While it may be difficult, undertaking this path might be the best way forward for you to achieve your mental health goals.
Managing Expectations
One key piece of successful therapy is entering into it with the right expectations. The healing process is unique to each individual, and there’s a possibility that it may take longer than initially expected. Don’t be surprised if it takes more sessions than you thought at the beginning to start to see positive effects. As everyone’s mind and experiences are different, there’s no way to accurately predict milestones.
It’s also important to understand that EMDR therapy is not a cure for complex trauma. It’s a tool to help process traumatic memories and emotions, and to hopefully stop them from negatively affecting your life so much.
EMDR for Children & Adolescents
EMDR therapy has been found to be effective in treating complex trauma for several groups of people, including children and teenagers.
Children and under 18s who have experienced complex trauma can definitely benefit from EMDR therapy. This therapy can help them process their traumatic memories and emotions in a safe and supportive environment. It can also help them develop effective coping skills and reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
EMDR therapy for children and adolescents typically involves shorter sessions and modified techniques that are more age-appropriate. The therapist may use play therapy, art therapy, or other creative techniques to engage the child or adolescent and help them feel more comfortable during the session.
Measuring EMDR Progress
When undergoing EMDR therapy for complex trauma, you can measure progress to ensure that the treatment is effective and moving in a positive worthwhile direction. There are various tools available to assess progress.
Assessment Tools
One commonly used tool is the Subjective Units of Disturbance (SUD) scale, which measures the level of distress you experience before and after each EMDR session. The SUD scale ranges from 0 to 10, with 0 being no distress and 10 being the highest level of distress. This tool helps the therapist monitor the patient's journey and adjust the treatment plan accordingly.
Another assessment tool commonly used in EMDR therapy is the Validity of Cognition (VOC) scale. This tool measures your level of belief in a positive cognition (PC) before and after each EMDR session. The VOC scale ranges from 1 to +7, with 1 being complete disbelief in the PC and +7 being complete belief in the PC. This tool helps the therapist ensure that the positive cognitions are getting properly integrated and reinforced.
Subjective Experiences
In addition to using assessment tools, it’s also important to take into account your subjective experiences during EMDR therapy. Patients may experience a range of emotions during EMDR sessions, including anxiety, sadness, anger, and fear. These emotions may be intense, but they’re usually temporary and tend to subside quickly.
You may also experience physical sensations in your body during EMDR sessions, such as tingling, warmth, tightness, pain, or tension. These sensations are normal and are a sign that the brain is processing the traumatic memories.
So if you’re considering starting EMDR therapy, I hope you now feel more prepared and confident in what to expect.
If you’re a resident of California or Florida and are looking for a caring online therapist who provides EMDR, contact me or consider booking a free, no-commitment consultation call with me, Laura Jasen, LPCC, LMHC here at Sage & Sunshine Therapy.
Written by: Laura Jasen, LMHC, LPCC
