What is IFS-Informed EMDR?
IFS-Informed EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an approach that combines two therapeutic modalities: Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy and EMDR. Both IFS and EMDR are well-established therapies used to address trauma and emotional difficulties.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy: IFS is a therapeutic approach that posits that the mind is composed of different "parts," each with its own thoughts, emotions, and motivations. These parts can sometimes conflict with each other, leading to emotional distress. IFS aims to help individuals understand and communicate with these parts, fostering self-awareness and self-compassion. The goal is to establish a harmonious relationship among these parts, allowing for healing and personal growth.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR is a psychotherapy technique primarily used to treat trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It involves guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation while focusing on distressing memories. This process helps desensitize the emotional charge associated with traumatic experiences, allowing individuals to process and integrate the memories in a healthier way.
IFS-Informed EMDR: This approach involves integrating principles from IFS therapy into the EMDR process. By incorporating IFS concepts, therapists can enhance the therapeutic experience and outcomes of EMDR sessions. Here's how it might work:
Parts Work: During EMDR sessions, clients explore the different parts of themselves that are connected to traumatic memories. IFS language and techniques can help clients develop a deeper understanding of these parts, fostering a sense of safety and collaboration between parts and the Self (the core, authentic self).
Self-Leadership: IFS emphasizes the importance of the Self as the central, compassionate, and wise core of an individual. In IFS-Informed EMDR, the I help clients to connect with their Self during the EMDR reprocessing phase. This can provide a sense of stability and guidance as traumatic memories are processed.
Integration and Healing: By integrating IFS principles, I help clients work through trauma memories with a greater awareness of their internal landscape. This approach can lead to a more comprehensive healing process as clients develop a healthier relationship with their parts and navigate traumatic memories with increased self-compassion and resilience.
In essence, IFS-Informed EMDR aims to combine the strengths of both IFS therapy and EMDR to offer a holistic and tailored approach to trauma treatment. This integration can provide clients with a deeper understanding of their emotions, thoughts, and reactions, ultimately promoting healing, self-discovery, and growth. It's important to note that each client’s experience will be unique.
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How EMDR Works to Heal Trauma
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) has grown in popularity within the last several years. In fact, EMDR has become my most-requested service. Many people may have heard of EMDR, but don’t necessarily understand how it works.
When we experience trauma, it can cause us to feel stuck. This because trauma often gets stored in both our minds and our bodies. Many people are able to process some of this trauma throw traditional talk therapy, but this isn’t always effective. This is because all of the material attached to the trauma-the images, body sensations, feelings, and thoughts. Thus, we can still get triggered when we are reminded of the trauma.
EMDR using bilateral eye stimulation to engage both the left and right sides of the body. This helps to get the traumatic material unstuck. Once the material is unstuck, we can then work how to store it in a way that does not cause any further distress. It’s similar to cleaning and reorganizing a messy closet, only the closet is your brain!
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Why the Mind-Body Therapy is Important
Our minds and bodies are connected.
With psychotherapy becoming more mainstream and less taboo, lots of people are seeing the benefits of caring for their mental health. However, traditional talk therapy can focus a lot on processing thoughts and feelings in the mind. While this can certainly be helpful for most, it may not be enough to effectively heal trauma.
That’s because our bodies often recognize trauma before our minds do. Sometimes this trauma can get stored in the body when we don’t even realize it.
Somatic therapies, often-referred to as mind-body therapies, can be helpful in addressing psychological trauma that gets stored in the body. Many of these practices are centuries-old and have been practiced culturally by People of Global Majority. In recent years, these practices have become more popular in Western cultures.
EMDR therapy and trauma conscious yoga are both somatic therapies that I utilize in my practice. Neither of these therapies require you to retell the details of your trauma. The objective is to desensitize your mind and body to traumatic memories so that you can be more present in your everyday life. I like to use EMDR and yoga together as a way to help soothe the nervous system.
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