The Green Will Conservancy

Can EMDR Psychotherapy be used on a patient with no history of therapy?

In this video, the presenter answers whether EMDR therapy can be effective for individuals without prior exposure to psychotherapy. The answer is yes. EMDR’s structured and phased approach, especially in Phases 1 and 2, provides a well-organized, secure, and confidence-building process for clients. The presenter emphasizes that EMDR doesn’t require clients to extensively talk about their traumatic experiences, making it especially beneficial for individuals who struggle with verbal expression, including teenagers and clients with language barriers.
The presenter also highlights that EMDR is unique in that it allows for the processing of trauma without needing to articulate the details, which is particularly useful in forensic cases where talking could lead to legal issues. Additionally, the video explores how some individuals may feel the need to talk about trauma depending on whether it would have been safer to do so at the time of the traumatic event. This key difference underscores how talk therapy may unintentionally increase phobia of traumatic memories, while EMDR offers a way to process trauma more safely and effectively.
This video is insightful for those interested in how EMDR differs from traditional talk therapy and how it can benefit diverse populations.