{"id":43251,"date":"2023-10-20T15:53:46","date_gmt":"2023-10-20T19:53:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/?p=43251"},"modified":"2023-10-20T19:24:32","modified_gmt":"2023-10-20T23:24:32","slug":"how-emdr-works","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/how-emdr-works\/","title":{"rendered":"How Does EMDR Work: 3 Compelling Theories"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_65 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/how-emdr-works\/#Is_EMDR_Effective\" title=\"Is EMDR Effective?&nbsp;\">Is EMDR Effective?&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/how-emdr-works\/#The_AIP_Model\" title=\"The AIP Model&nbsp;\">The AIP Model&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/how-emdr-works\/#How_EMDR_Works\" title=\"How EMDR Works\">How EMDR Works<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/how-emdr-works\/#1_EMDR_Mimics_Slow_Wave_Sleep\" title=\"1. EMDR Mimics Slow Wave Sleep&nbsp;\">1. EMDR Mimics Slow Wave Sleep&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/how-emdr-works\/#2_EMDR_Taxes_Working_Memory\" title=\"2. EMDR Taxes Working Memory&nbsp;\">2. EMDR Taxes Working Memory&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/how-emdr-works\/#3_Memory_Reconsolidation_via_EMDR\" title=\"3. Memory Reconsolidation via EMDR&nbsp;\">3. Memory Reconsolidation via EMDR&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/how-emdr-works\/#Final_Thoughts\" title=\"Final Thoughts\">Final Thoughts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>Every few years, it seems like a new \u201crevolutionary\u201d therapy becomes popular. Its inventor will cite studies verifying its validity, claiming that this is the silver bullet that will end human suffering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Almost inevitably, these therapies quickly lose their following and are placed on the bookshelf to collect dust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, there have been a few therapies that have stood the test of time. One of these is a type of therapy called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.apa.org\/ptsd-guideline\/treatments\/eye-movement-reprocessing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">EMDR<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>EMDR stands for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. It\u2019s an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trailheadcounselingks.com\/blog\/the-eight-stages-of-emdr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">eight-stage<\/a> therapy used to treat PTSD, anxiety, phobias, and a host of other problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s growing rapidly, with over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.emdr.com\/what-is-emdr\/#:~:text=Over%20100%2C000%20clinicians%20throughout%20the,one%20part%20of%20the%20session.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">100,000 therapists<\/a> trained in EMDR worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, despite its popularity, nobody is sure how EMDR works, leaving it open to criticism.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This article explores some of the most popular theories about how EMDR works. To benefit from this post, it\u2019s important that you have some background information about EMDR. If you need to, check out this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/emdr-treatment-for-ptsd\/\">article<\/a> to learn more about EMDR, then come back and read this one.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/How-EMDR-Works-A-Brief-Primer-By-From-A-Therapist-1.png\" alt=\"How EMDR Works: A Brief Primer (By From A Therapist)\" class=\"wp-image-43254 lazyload\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:400px;height:600px\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/How-EMDR-Works-A-Brief-Primer-By-From-A-Therapist-1.png\" alt=\"How EMDR Works: A Brief Primer (By From A Therapist)\" class=\"wp-image-43254 lazyload\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:400px;height:600px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/How-EMDR-Works-A-Brief-Primer-By-From-A-Therapist-1.png 1000w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/How-EMDR-Works-A-Brief-Primer-By-From-A-Therapist-1-300x450.png 300w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/How-EMDR-Works-A-Brief-Primer-By-From-A-Therapist-1-750x1125.png 750w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/How-EMDR-Works-A-Brief-Primer-By-From-A-Therapist-1-150x225.png 150w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/How-EMDR-Works-A-Brief-Primer-By-From-A-Therapist-1-768x1152.png 768w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/How-EMDR-Works-A-Brief-Primer-By-From-A-Therapist-1-60x90.png 60w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">How EMDR Works: A Brief Primer (By From A Therapist)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_EMDR_Effective\"><\/span><strong>Is EMDR Effective?&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before we talk about how EMDR works, we need to answer the question of if it\u2019s effective. Although there are EMDR skeptics, research strongly suggests that it\u2019s a great way to treat PTSD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, a <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/25101684\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">meta-analysis<\/a> from 2014 found that EMDR can significantly reduce PTSD symptoms, including depression and anxiety. In her book \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3662281\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Getting Past Your Past<\/a>,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.emdr.com\/francine-shapiro-ph-d\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dr. Francine Shapiro<\/a>, the inventor of EMDR, stated that \u201cmore than 20 scientifically controlled studies of EMDR have proven its effectiveness in the treatment of traumatic and other disturbing life experiences.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, the <a href=\"https:\/\/apps.who.int\/iris\/bitstream\/handle\/10665\/85119\/9789241505406_eng.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">World Health Organization<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.apa.org\/ptsd-guideline\/treatments\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">American Psychological Association<\/a> both recommend EMDR as an effective treatment for PTSD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of the most fascinating research on EMDR shows that it can affect how different parts of the brain communicate with each other. In 2019, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2019.00129\/full\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">researchers<\/a> used an fMRI machine to examine the impact EMDR had on a group of trauma survivors. They found that different brain regions were more connected following EMDR treatment, and that other brain regions were less connected. These changes in connectivity likely showed that their brains were healing from trauma. EMDR can create such drastic changes on brain functioning that some <a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/202172255_On_the_neural_basis_of_EMDR_therapy_Insight_from_qEEG_studies\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">researchers<\/a> describe it as \u201ca medical procedure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_AIP_Model\"><\/span><strong>The AIP Model&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We can confidently say that EMDR helps treat PTSD. Now the question is \u2013 why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In an effort to explain the benefits of EMDR, Dr. Shapiro created the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2017.01578\/full\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&#8220;Adaptive Information Processing&#8221; (AIP) model<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the AIP model, Dr. Shapiro suggested that the human brain is designed to process and store the information it gathers throughout the day.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Traumatic events can sometimes overwhelm the brain\u2019s ability to process information. When these memories remain unprocessed, they can create symptoms of PTSD and other mental health disorders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let me use an example to help explain. If I asked you to remember what you had for breakfast yesterday, how would you feel? Chances are you would feel fine &#8211; breakfast is usually an unremarkable part of the day. As such, your brain processes eating breakfast and stores it in your long-term memory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, what if I asked you to remember the most traumatic event you\u2019ve ever experienced? Unless you\u2019ve dealt with this trauma, you\u2019ll likely experience some distress. This is because there are elements of the memory your brain hasn\u2019t been able to process and store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over time, these memories can create anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms, making it important to process them. Using the AIP model, Dr. Shapiro suggested that EMDR somehow activates the brain\u2019s natural ability to store memories away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, the AIP model does a great job of explaining the results we see from EMDR, but it doesn\u2019t explain the exact mechanism by which EMDR helps the brain heal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_EMDR_Works\"><\/span>How EMDR Works<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Thankfully, this is a topic of interest among many researchers. As such, there are several plausible theories about how EMDR works. Here are three of the most popular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_EMDR_Mimics_Slow_Wave_Sleep\"><\/span><strong>1. EMDR Mimics Slow Wave Sleep&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most common theories about how EMDR works is that it mimics slow wave sleep (SWS). <a href=\"https:\/\/www.emdr.com\/francine-shapiro-ph-d\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Research<\/a> suggests that SWS plays a key role in processing emotional memories, <a href=\"https:\/\/iris.unito.it\/bitstream\/2318\/1651430\/1\/Pagani%20%26%20Carletto%202017%20Clinical%20Neuropsychiatry.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">moving<\/a> them from the \u201cfeeling\u201d part of the brain to the \u201cthinking\u201d part of the brain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Numerous <a href=\"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2017.01935\/full?&amp;utm_source=Email_to_authors_&amp;utm_medium=Email&amp;utm_content=T1_11.5e1_author&amp;utm_campaign=Email_publication&amp;field=&amp;journalName=Frontiers_in_Psychology&amp;id=295202\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">researchers<\/a> suggest that the eye movements found in EMDR create brain waves that are like those found in SWS. Because SWS naturally helps the brain clear distressing memories, recreating SWS brain activity is thought to facilitate this natural healing process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Notably, SWS occurs up to five times per night; in a typical EMDR session, eye movements are performed much more <a href=\"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2017.01935\/full?&amp;utm_source=Email_to_authors_&amp;utm_medium=Email&amp;utm_content=T1_11.5e1_author&amp;utm_campaign=Email_publication&amp;field=&amp;journalName=Frontiers_in_Psychology&amp;id=295202\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">frequently<\/a>. This could help explain why EMDR processes memories so quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check out this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/202172255_On_the_neural_basis_of_EMDR_therapy_Insight_from_qEEG_studies\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">picture<\/a> that compares EMDR to SWS. The top line shows a participant\u2019s brain waves during eye movements, while the bottom line shows brain waves during SWS. It\u2019s impossible to deny how similar they look, lending more evidence that the SWS theory might be correct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/emdr.png\" alt=\"How Does EMDR Work? \n\" class=\"wp-image-43252 lazyload\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_EMDR_Taxes_Working_Memory\"><\/span><strong>2. EMDR Taxes Working Memory&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Whenever you accomplish a task, you must use information you\u2019ve learned throughout your life to complete it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, if I asked you to tie your shoe, you would need to utilize your knowledge about how to knot your laces together to keep them from coming undone.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The information you use to accomplish tasks is called \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4207727\/#:~:text=Working%20memory%20is%20the%20small,widely%2Dused%20terms%20in%20psychology.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">working<\/a> memory,\u201d and some <a href=\"https:\/\/etq.emdrassociation.org.uk\/paper\/a-systematic-review-exploring-the-role-of-eye-movements-in-emdr-therapy-from-a-working-memory-perspective\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">researchers<\/a> suggest that it plays a crucial role in EMDR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During an EMDR session, the patient is asked to recall their traumatic memory with its accompanying mental images, thoughts, emotions, and body sensations. As they do so, the therapist begins to provide bilateral stimulation (BLS).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This theory of why EMDR works suggests that recalling the traumatic memory while noticing the BLS taxes the brain\u2019s working memory. Essentially, our brains can only attend to so much information at once. While noticing the BLS, the patient can\u2019t fully attend to the traumatic memory, leading to a reduction in distress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This <a href=\"https:\/\/bmcpsychology.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1186\/s40359-022-00951-0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">quote<\/a> from researchers in Switzerland summarizes this theory nicely:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>\u201cOur results\u2026suggest that recalling a traumatic memory while performing a second task would shift the individual\u2019s attention away from the retrieval process and result in a reduction in vividness and emotionality, also associated with the reduction of symptoms.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ta-image wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a class=\"thirstylinkimg\" rel=\"nofollow rel=&quot;sponsored&quot;\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"BetterHelp Ad\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/recommends\/betterhelp-ad\/\" data-shortcode=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/BetterHelp-1-400x209.jpg\" alt=\"BetterHelp ad\" class=\"wp-image-35447 lazyload\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"209\" src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/BetterHelp-1-400x209.jpg\" alt=\"BetterHelp ad\" class=\"wp-image-35447 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/BetterHelp-1-400x209.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/BetterHelp-1-200x105.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/BetterHelp-1-150x79.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/BetterHelp-1.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><figcaption>Get 10% off your membership to BetterHelp with this link.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Memory_Reconsolidation_via_EMDR\"><\/span>3. <strong>Memory Reconsolidation via EMDR&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A common misconception about memories is that, once they are stored, they can never be modified. <a href=\"https:\/\/study.com\/learn\/lesson\/memory-reconsolidation-theory-examples.html#:~:text=The%20theory%20of%20memory%20reconsolidation%20centers%20on%20the%20idea%20that,to%20modify%20undesirable%20behavioral%20patterns.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Memory reconsolidation<\/a> is the theory that, once retrieved, there is a short window during which memories can be changed.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cell.com\/current-biology\/pdf\/S0960-9822(13)00771-9.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Scientists<\/a> widely accept that memory reconsolidation is a real phenomenon, though the mechanisms by which it occurs are debated. Researchers also suggest that memories can play a key role in the formation of mental health <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cell.com\/current-biology\/pdf\/S0960-9822(13)00771-9.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">disorders<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In recent years, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.coherencetherapy.org\/files\/Ecker-etal-NPT2013April-Primer.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">psychologists<\/a> have been using memory reconsolidation to explain how and why certain types of therapies work.&nbsp; These psychologists suggest that illnesses like anxiety, depression, and PTSD all have roots in \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.coherencetherapy.org\/files\/Ecker-etal-NPT2013April-Primer.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">emotional learning<\/a>,\u201d or the emotions that correspond with specific memories. These memories are often subconscious with the sufferer unaware of their impact.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When someone is made aware of this emotional learning, they can replace it with healthier emotional learning.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What does this all have to do with EMDR?&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>EMDR requires patients to recall distressing memories. According to memory reconsolidation, they are creating the opportunity for the memory to be changed with new emotional learning. Some <a href=\"https:\/\/psycnet.apa.org\/record\/2018-10922-001\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">researchers<\/a> even suggest that EMDR is \u201cunintentionally based in memory reconsolidation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you talk to someone who has benefited from EMDR, they\u2019ll likely tell you how their traumatic memories have changed. Some people describe the memory as looking \u201csmaller\u201d or that they now see it as \u201cblack and white\u201d in their mind\u2019s eye. Although these comments aren\u2019t research, they do sound comparable to the phenomenon of memory reconsolidation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final_Thoughts\"><\/span><strong>Final Thoughts<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>So, how does EMDR work? Nobody knows for sure, but there are several plausible theories out there.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Perhaps the main takeaway from this article is that, regardless of how it works, EMDR can offer relief from PTSD. If you\u2019re struggling because of trauma, consider reaching out to an EMDR therapist. They can help you take successful steps toward healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-uagb-section uagb-section__wrap uagb-section__background-color uagb-block-540ad93d\"><div class=\"uagb-section__overlay\"><\/div><div class=\"uagb-section__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-call-to-action uagb-block-73105e3b wp-block-button\"><div class=\"uagb-cta__wrap\"><h5 class=\"uagb-cta__title\">Private Practice  with No Overhead and No Shortage of Clients.<br><\/h5><p class=\"uagb-cta__desc\">Join\u00a0the more than 34,000 full and part-time therapists who are earning more with BetterHelp! Supplement your income, or build your own practice from scratch. Bonuses &amp; Incentives for High Performers! <strong>Sponsored Advertisement<\/strong><\/p><\/div><div class=\"uagb-cta__buttons\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hasofferstracking.betterhelp.com\/aff_c?offer_id=20&amp;aff_id=1614\" class=\"uagb-cta__button-link-wrapper wp-block-button__link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Join BetterHelp<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Although there are EMDR skeptics, research strongly suggests that it\u2019s a great way to treat PTSD.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":101,"featured_media":43255,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","ub_ctt_via":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[781],"tags":[28,46,799,931],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/How-EMDR-Works-A-Brief-Primer-By-From-A-Therapist.png","author_info":{"display_name":"Michael Schiferl, LCMFT","author_link":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/author\/mschiferl\/"},"modified_by":"Randy Withers, LCMHC","uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/How-EMDR-Works-A-Brief-Primer-By-From-A-Therapist.png",800,450,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/How-EMDR-Works-A-Brief-Primer-By-From-A-Therapist-150x84.png",150,84,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/How-EMDR-Works-A-Brief-Primer-By-From-A-Therapist-300x169.png",300,169,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/How-EMDR-Works-A-Brief-Primer-By-From-A-Therapist-768x432.png",768,432,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/How-EMDR-Works-A-Brief-Primer-By-From-A-Therapist-750x422.png",750,422,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/How-EMDR-Works-A-Brief-Primer-By-From-A-Therapist.png",800,450,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/How-EMDR-Works-A-Brief-Primer-By-From-A-Therapist.png",800,450,false],"tiny":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/How-EMDR-Works-A-Brief-Primer-By-From-A-Therapist-60x34.png",60,34,true],"thumbnail-medium":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/How-EMDR-Works-A-Brief-Primer-By-From-A-Therapist-480x384.png",480,384,true],"thumbnail-square":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/How-EMDR-Works-A-Brief-Primer-By-From-A-Therapist-480x450.png",480,450,true],"thumbnail-portrait":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/How-EMDR-Works-A-Brief-Primer-By-From-A-Therapist-480x450.png",480,450,true],"thumbnail-large":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/How-EMDR-Works-A-Brief-Primer-By-From-A-Therapist-720x450.png",720,450,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Michael Schiferl, LCMFT","author_link":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/author\/mschiferl\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Although there are EMDR skeptics, research strongly suggests that it\u2019s a great way to treat PTSD.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43251"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/101"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43251"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43251\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/43255"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43251"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43251"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43251"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}