Q&A Video Sessions on EMDR Psychotherapy – The Green Will Conservancy

In this video, the presenter discusses the differences between EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapy and the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). While both methods involve physical stimulation, such as tapping, the presenter explains that they are based on different principles. EFT relies on Meridian theory from Eastern philosophy, targeting emotional processing points in the body, while EMDR uses a more structured, therapeutic approach rooted in Adaptive Information Processing (AIP). The video highlights EMDR’s systematic method of processing trauma across the lifespan, including preparation, ongoing evaluation, and resolution of memories, which contrasts with EFT’s less structured approach. The presenter also emphasizes the importance of clinical training in EMDR and the comprehensive research supporting its efficacy, unlike EFT, which has a more limited research base.
This video is ideal for those interested in understanding the distinctions between these two therapeutic techniques.

What is the difference between EFT and EMDR Psychotherapy?
In this video, the presenter discusses how EMDR therapy approaches cases involving family violence. The speaker emphasizes that not every family, couple, or individual is immediately suited for EMDR psychotherapy, especially when violence and dysregulation are present. A thorough screening process is necessary to determine if EMDR is appropriate. The video explains how, in many cases, extensive individual therapy for both the perpetrator and the victim is required before considering any form of family therapy. The presenter also mentions how trained EMDR therapists work with different family members separately, and only after progress and resolution are achieved in individual sessions, they may come together for family therapy.
This video is helpful for those interested in understanding how EMDR therapy is applied in the context of family violence.

How is violence addressed in EMDR family and couples therapy?
In this video, the presenter explains how EMDR therapy continues to work even after a session has ended. Once the processing of memories begins, the healing continues outside the session, much like a cake that keeps baking after being taken out of the oven. The therapist prepares the client on how to manage this ongoing process and remains available in case new memories or issues arise. The video highlights how additional memory channels can open up during EMDR, revealing what the brain wants to work on next, emphasizing the importance of proper preparation before starting therapy.
This video is useful for individuals interested in understanding the extended effects of EMDR therapy beyond the session itself.

What happens in the patient in between EMDR sessions?
In this video, the presenter discusses how EMDR therapy is used in couples and family therapy, emphasizing the importance of communication. The therapy is structured into phases, beginning with preparation and assessment, focusing on immediate problem-solving, safety management, and creating a communication plan for urgent issues. Following this, the therapy moves into the processing phase, where past and current stressors are addressed. After each session, a debrief occurs, and communication skills are built as part of the EMDR process. The presenter highlights that EMDR is more than just the visual stimulation technique; it includes significant skill-building components both before and after the memory processing phase.
This video is ideal for those interested in understanding how EMDR therapy integrates communication and skill-building into couples and family therapy.

How is communication between families and couples addressed in EMDR psychotherapy?
In this video, the presenter explains how EMDR therapy is used in couples and family therapy, focusing on the importance of communication throughout the process. The therapy is structured into phases, beginning with a preparation phase that includes assessment, immediate problem-solving, safety management, and creating a communication plan for urgent issues. Following this, the therapy progresses into the processing phase, where both past issues and current stressors are addressed. After each session, there is a debrief that includes communication skill-building, which is a crucial component of EMDR therapy, both before and after traditional processing.
This video is beneficial for viewers interested in how EMDR therapy integrates communication strategies into couples and family therapy.

Are families and couples prepared to handle EMDR Psychotherapy?
In this video, the presenter addresses whether EMDR therapy is suitable for all therapists and clients. The answer is clearly no, as EMDR is a powerful psychotherapy that requires specialized training and particular qualities in therapists. The video emphasizes two key aspects for therapists:
Shifting their orientation to view the client’s brain as the agent of change, rather than themselves.
The ability to tolerate and remain present with the client’s emotional experience and memories.
The presenter also explains that not all clients are ready for EMDR therapy. While Phase 1 and 2 of the EMDR protocol—focused on stabilization and preparation—can benefit most clients, full EMDR therapy may not be suitable for everyone. For those unsure if they are ready, the presenter recommends Francine Shapiro’s book, Getting Past Your Past, which offers insights into who might benefit from professional EMDR therapy versus self-help techniques.
This video is ideal for those considering EMDR therapy or professionals interested in learning more about its requirements.

Is EMDR Psychotherapy for everyone and for every therapist?
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.

Can EMDR Psychotherapy be used on a patient with no history of therapy?
In this video, the presenter discusses how EMDR therapy can be effectively applied to children, families, and couples, not just adults. Children often respond exceptionally well to EMDR because they have fewer memories to process and are more open, without the coping mechanisms and self-deception adults often develop.
The video also touches on group EMDR protocols, where individuals who share the same traumatic experience, such as first responders, process together, leading to generalized healing across the group. This concept is applied to family therapy, where instead of focusing on the identified “problem person” in the family, EMDR helps all family members process their shared trauma, leading to more integrated family functioning.
In couples therapy, EMDR helps address family-of-origin issues, which often underlie relationship problems. By processing triggers and early traumatic experiences in front of their partner, couples develop greater empathy and understanding for each other. The video explains that this process can be particularly powerful when done with a male and female therapist team, providing a balanced therapeutic environment.
This video is valuable for those interested in how EMDR can be used in non-individual therapy settings to support broader family and relationship healing.

Can EMDR Psychotherapy be used with children, families, and couples?
In this video, the presenter explains dysfunctional memories and how they are processed through EMDR therapy. A dysfunctional memory is one that remains unresolved and continues to cause distress in everyday life, often manifesting through triggers. For example, a person might experience anxiety while driving past the location of a past traumatic event, such as hitting a dog, because the memory is still stored in a disturbing, unresolved way.
The video describes how EMDR helps transform this type of memory into a more adaptive, functional one. After processing, the individual can remember the event with less distress, perhaps feeling sadness but also able to stay present in the moment and reflect on positive memories or lessons. Over time, this leads to a healthier, more mindful reaction to similar situations, like becoming a more vigilant driver.
This explanation highlights how EMDR helps reprocess and store traumatic memories in a more adaptive way, reducing emotional disturbances triggered by everyday experiences.

How does EMDR effect a disturbing memory?