Bilateral Stimulation: What It Is, Effects, & Use in EMDR
Bilateral stimulation is a therapeutic technique that involves stimulating both sides of the body or brain. This promotes healing, emotional processing, and stress management.
This technique is widely used in various therapeutic modalities, with its most prominent application found in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.
In this comprehensive guide to Bilateral Stimulation: What It Is, Effects, & Use in EMDR, we will explore how this process works and its significant role in EMDR therapy for trauma processing and healing.
There's a lot of interesting info ahead, so let's get reading.
What Is Bilateral Stimulation?
Bilateral stimulation refers to the activation of both the left and right hemispheres of the brain or both sides of the body. This is usually done in an alternating pattern.
This stimulation can be achieved through various sensory modalities, such as:
Visual bilateral stimulation: follows some kind of visual object with their eyes
Tapping
Auditory bilateral stimulation: audio stimulation played to them which alternates between their left and right ears
Tactile bilateral stimulation: vibrating buzzers or hand-held paddles
Rhythmic back-and-forth movements and sensations engage both sides of the brain, facilitating communication between the hemispheres.
The Effects of Bilateral Stimulation on the Brain
There are three major physiological effects of bilateral stimulation on your brain's neurology. Here they are in detail.
Calming the Amygdala
The amygdala is a part of the brain responsible for processing emotions. It is often hyperactive in individuals who have experienced trauma or are struggling with anxiety.
Bilateral stimulation has been shown to reduce the amygdala's reactivity. This promotes a sense of calm and reduces emotional distress.
Enhancing Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to adapt and reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. Bilateral stimulation is believed to enhance neuroplasticity. This happens by allowing the brain to process and integrate distressing memories and emotions more effectively.
Stimulating Both Hemispheres
By engaging both hemispheres of the brain, bilateral stimulation helps integrate emotional and cognitive processes. This integration fosters a more balanced perspective. This makes it easier to cope with challenging emotions and memories.
How Is Bilateral Stimulation Used in EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy is a specialized form of psychotherapy designed to help individuals process traumatic memories. It also helps reduce emotional distress related to those experiences.
The bilateral stimulation component is a crucial aspect of EMDR therapy, facilitating the reprocessing of traumatic memories in a safe and controlled environment. Here's how bilateral stimulation is used in EMDR therapy:
Dual Attention
In EMDR therapy, the client's attention is intentionally directed to a bilateral stimulus. Simultaneously, they recall distressing memories or experiences.
The bilateral stimulus can be moving their eyes back and forth following the therapist's finger. They listen to auditory tones through headphones or experience tactile sensations, such as tapping or buzzing.
Adaptive Information Processing Model
EMDR is guided by the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model. This posits that trauma-related disturbances result from unprocessed memories. These remain stored in the brain in their raw, emotionally charged form.
Bilateral stimulation helps access these memories while providing a safe environment for reprocessing and integration.
Bridging the Gap
Bilateral stimulation helps "bridge the gap" between the emotional and cognitive aspects of a memory. By engaging both hemispheres of the brain, EMDR therapy allows individuals to gain new insights and perspectives on their traumatic experiences. This leads to more adaptive and healthy ways of coping.
Targeting Specific Memories
During the EMDR therapy process, the therapist and client collaboratively identify specific traumatic memories or distressing beliefs that the client wishes to target. Bilateral stimulation is then used to facilitate the processing of these targeted memories.
Installation of Positive Beliefs
As part of EMDR therapy, positive beliefs are introduced and "installed". This replaces negative or maladaptive beliefs associated with traumatic memories. Bilateral stimulation helps integrate these positive beliefs into the client's belief system.
Body Sensations and Emotions
In addition to targeting specific memories, EMDR also addresses body sensations and emotions associated with trauma. Bilateral stimulation helps individuals process and release the emotional and physiological distress stored in their bodies.
Eight Phases of EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy typically consists of eight phases. Let's go into detail about it below.
1. History Taking and Treatment Planning
The therapist gathers information about:
The client's history
Trauma experience
Current symptoms
This will help them develop a treatment plan tailored to the individual's needs. This is necessary for the successful resolution of trauma.
2. Preparation
The therapist explains the EMDR process. They teach the client coping skills to manage emotional distress during therapy sessions.
3. Assessment
Together, the therapist and client identify specific target memories or distressing beliefs to address during EMDR sessions. The most distressing one is chosen first.
4. Desensitization
This phase involves using bilateral stimulation to process targeted traumatic memories. This also desensitizes the emotional charge associated with them.
5. Installation
Positive beliefs are introduced and strengthened to replace negative beliefs related to the trauma. This step can take a bit of time.
6. Body Scan
The therapist and client identify any residual body sensations or tension related to the trauma. They use bilateral stimulation to help process and release them.
7. Closure
Each EMDR session ends with a "closing" phase. During this, the therapist ensures the client is in a calm and stable state before ending the session.
8. Reevaluation
During subsequent sessions, the therapist and client assess progress. They will also identify any remaining unresolved issues to address. This can go over 4-6 sessions or more.
How to Find an EMDR Specialist
The effects of bilateral stimulation are varied and powerful. It's a therapeutic tool used in various treatment modalities. But it's important to find a specialist who has experience in EMDR and can help with various traumas and disorders.
Start EMDR in Texas today. Contact Sage Brush Counseling to begin your healing journey.
