If you’ve heard about eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, you undoubtedly have some questions about how it works. Or, maybe you understand the basics, but you’re unsure about trying it because you’re having a hard time remembering your trauma.
There are plenty of reasons why someone who has experienced trauma might “forget” about it. It’s often your brain’s way of protecting you.
But, trauma can still have a lasting impact on your life, even if you don’t remember the details. It can contribute to anxiety, fatigue, sleep disorders, fear, and so much more.
Thankfully, EMDR can still be an effective way to treat your trauma, even if you don’t remember everything that happened.
A Different Type of Talk Therapy
One of the reasons why EMDR can be so effective if you struggle to remember trauma is that it doesn’t require you to talk for hours on end about what happened. EMDR therapists are fully prepared to work with people who have experienced all types of trauma. They understand that you might not remember every detail of what happened, and that’s okay.
In the first stage of EMDR therapy, your therapist will get some background information and history. They’ll work with you to discover any traumatic memories living beneath the surface. Even if you don’t remember exactly what happened now, your therapist will guide you by using certain images, sounds, or situations.
Don’t worry about getting all of the details perfectly in order. Share what you can, and your therapist will work with you from there. As you go through your sessions, you might be surprised to find that you remember more details along the way.
The Body Remembers
Even if your mind doesn’t completely remember the trauma you’ve experienced, your body does. EMDR therapists understand how to do body scans that can help to pinpoint where trauma is stored.
If you experience certain bodily sensations in an EMDR session, it’s likely your therapist will stop and deconstruct your reaction. This is one of the best ways to uncover stored trauma, and a great way to start remembering more about what happened.
Your Emotions Matter Most
EMDR is designed to help you reprocess negative memories and emotions into more positive ones. For some people, that means focusing on the details of a specific traumatic memory and reprocessing it in a way that doesn’t feel so overwhelming.
For those who can’t remember the details of a traumatic event, your therapy will focus on unexamined feelings. Your therapist might use things like sights, sounds, or even smells to evoke feelings you might not have noted for years. Even if the details aren’t there, you can change the feeling from a negative one to something positive. The lingering mental and physical effects of trauma don’t have to stick with you.
As certain emotions start to come forward, especially when you focus on a specific memory, it’s likely that more details will emerge. While you don’t have to focus on those details for your therapy to be a success, you’re going to learn more about yourself and your experience if you open yourself up to those memories, even if they’re painful.
Is EMDR the Right Therapy for You?
Don’t feel like you don’t deserve help just because you can’t remember every detail of your trauma. In many ways, EMDR is the best solution for those who are struggling to remember. It focuses less on talking through your traumatic memories, and more on restoring positive emotions.
If you’re interested in learning more about EMDR and how it can help, Contact Us to schedule a complimentary consultation or learn more about trauma therapy.