I have recently been trained in EMDR 2.0. This is an upgraded way of utilized EMDR that is very popular in the Netherlands and other parts of Europe, but not so much yet in the United States. The method posits that if we can tax working memory at very intense levels during Phase 4, including applying the fastest eye movements possible, the disturbing (trauma) memory will reduce in vividness faster and the negative beliefs will melt away quicker. Eye movements in EMDR.

Having performed many thousands of EMDR sessions on all types of trauma memories, this seemed to make sense to me–from a purely anecdotal perspective. My clients know my EMDR sessions to be inventive and I’m often told, very different than past EMDR experiences (for those who have seen other EMDR clinicians prior to engaging in therapy with me). I always hold to the basic EMDR foundations and protocols; however, I have taken advanced trainings in other Brain-Based methods and often incorporate them (Flash, DNMS, Ego-State, Brainspotting, etc…). So, when I was told about EMDR 2.0, I was intrigued.

In fact, there is much research behind the idea that greater taxation of working memory leading to a quicker reduction in trauma image vividness and, therefore, less distress experienced by the client with more adaptive (positive) beliefs developing faster.

One such research study by van Veen SC, et al… (2015) gathered a lot of evidence that increasing working memory while processing reduced trauma memory vividness quickly. But, more interesting to me was that the faster the eye movements (bi-lateral eye movements: either with light bar or clinician hand waving), the greater the trauma memory reduced. The client felt less emotional intensity as a result faster!

See the full research here: Click

Does your EMDR Psychotherapist take advanced trainings? Is your EMDR Psychotherapist EMDR Certified by EMDRIA? Jordan Nodelman, MSW, LCSW, LICSW is an EMDR Certified Clinician (by EMDRIA) and an EMDRIA Consultant-in-Training, assisting other psychotherapists become certified. EMDRIA is the leading, international body for the proper use and study of EMDR. As a consumer, please do your research on who and where you receive EMDR and EMDR training and consulting.

Treating survivors of trauma and those living with PTSD, depression, anxiety and phase-of-life issues, Jordan is in private practice in Fort Lauderdale, FL. He is licensed to provide services for Psychotherapy in Florida, Virginia and Washington DC. Availability is kept current on the “contact” tab. Jordan specializes in working with high-achievers and high-profile clients from a range of industries.

Reference:

van Veen SC, van Schie K, Wijngaards-de Meij LDNV, Littel M, Engelhard IM and van den Hout MA (2015) Speed matters: relationship between speed of eye movements and modification of aversive autobiographical memories. Front. Psychiatry 6:45. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2015.00045