Eye Movement Integration (EMI)

Do you experience flashbacks from a troubling event in your life where it is as if the experience is happening right now? You may find some release from using this method.

EMI vs EMDR

I'm sure you have heard of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) therapy. EMDR uses rapid eye movements when processing traumatic events, rather than slower-paced movements that are associated with EMI. EMI is similar to EMDR, but offers a more holistic treatment for working with trauma, from mild to severe. Both treatment forms are helpful, however.

How does EMI work?

EMI works with eye movements which help the brain and body process 'frozen'. trauma. For some, it's as if the memory is stored in the muscles. It is described as a neuro-therapy which helps clients to process the effects of trauma that lives in the short term memory and still interferes with their lives.

By processing different trauma-associated memories, they can then be integrated and stored in the long-term memory and become passive instead of active memories and emotions, while physical symptoms might disappear or be notably lessened. Clients still remember their experiences but the emotional charge will be gone or greatly reduced.

What can be treated with EMI?

EMI helps with 'mild' trauma (e.g. phobias and less serious accidents) known as 'type 1 trauma' as well as more severe trauma which often causes PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) to develop. This includes repeated neglect, warfare experiences and sexual abuse etc - known as 'type 2 trauma'.

Certain kinds of depression, anxiety and addiction are connected to unprocessed trauma. These issues - and PTSD - can be treated with EMI. Treatment for type 1 takes typically one or two sessions while type 2 might need more work, typically up to eight sessions.

Participants experiencing the treatment report on the day very impressive results with type 1 trauma. The following day, the main benefits reported tending to be undisturbed sleep and feeling calmer. 

EMI as a holistic therapy

EMI can be used as part of ongoing therapy with some clients who feel stuck. Things seem to move again in their processing and they become able to dis-identify from their traumatised inner parts and to create a 'unifying centre' - a more objective inner part that helps them to realise that healing is possible and only parts of them were damaged, not their whole being.

It also seems to help them to learn to care for the hurt parts instead of being identified with them. Studies conclude that overall improvement in type 1 and type 2 trauma lies between approximately 50 to 85%.

What to expect from an EMI session

The first session takes between one and a half to two hours, with further sessions around one hour. If you are seeing a psychotherapist or counsellor, you are advised to check with them about EMI.

Usually, EMI can be undertaken alongside counselling or therapy, just as you might seek the support of acupuncture or herbalism. It is recommended, if you wish to try this neuro-therapy, to work with a supervised practitioner who has the relevant insurance and professional membership.