Different EMDR Protocols for Anxiety: EMD, Performance Anxiety, Recent Event Protocol, and Standard EMDR with Float Back Technique
Anxiety is a pervasive and often debilitating mental health condition that can affect many aspects of an individual's life, from their ability to perform in high-pressure situations to their overall quality of life. Fortunately, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy offers a proven approach to healing anxiety by helping individuals process and reframe distressing memories and beliefs.
In this blog, we will explore various EMDR protocols for anxiety, including the EMD protocol, the Performance Anxiety Protocol, the Recent Event Protocol, and the Standard EMDR Protocol using a technique called Float Back to identify the target sequence for treatment. Additionally, we will discuss how the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model explains how past experiences contribute to present-day anxiety and how EMDR can address those underlying causes.
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based therapy originally developed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but has since been adapted to treat various emotional difficulties, including anxiety. EMDR works by helping the brain reprocess unprocessed memories and emotions related to past experiences using bilateral stimulation (e.g., eye movements, taps, or sounds).
The therapy is grounded in the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, which posits that the brain has a natural ability to process and store memories in a way that allows us to adapt to new situations. However, when a traumatic or highly distressing event occurs, the brain may fail to fully process it, leaving the memory "stuck" and causing ongoing emotional distress. The goal of EMDR is to help the brain reprocess these memories, reducing their emotional charge and improving emotional regulation.
The AIP Model: Connecting Past Trauma to Present Anxiety
The Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model forms the foundation of EMDR therapy. According to the AIP model, when individuals experience significant or traumatic events, the brain’s natural processing system can become overwhelmed. This leads to unprocessed memories—memories that have not been fully integrated into our emotional and cognitive framework. These unprocessed memories can continue to affect how individuals react to similar situations, often triggering disproportionate emotional responses such as anxiety, fear, or panic.
For example, if someone was bullied as a child, they may develop beliefs such as "I'm not worthy" or "I’m not safe." These unprocessed memories continue to influence their emotional responses in adulthood, leading to anxiety in social situations or when faced with judgment or criticism.
EMDR works by using bilateral stimulation to help reprocess these unprocessed memories, allowing individuals to create new, healthier associations with past events. By addressing the root causes of anxiety—often connected to past experiences—EMDR allows individuals to reframe their beliefs and emotional reactions, reducing anxiety and fostering emotional resilience.
Different EMDR Protocols for Anxiety
EMDR therapy offers different protocols tailored to treat various forms of anxiety. Below are three common protocols, as well as an explanation of the Standard EMDR Protocol that uses the Float Back technique to identify a target sequence for treatment.
1. Eye Movement Desensitization (EMD) Protocol
The EMD protocol is a simplified version of the standard EMDR protocol. It is particularly useful when individuals are experiencing anxiety that is not linked to a single traumatic event but instead to pervasive feelings of unease or tension. EMD focuses on reducing the emotional charge of the anxiety itself, allowing individuals to better manage their anxiety in everyday situations.
How EMD Works:
Focus on Anxiety: The therapist helps the client focus on the thoughts or situations that trigger anxiety.
Bilateral Stimulation: Using eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation, the therapist helps the client reprocess the anxiety, reducing its intensity.
Desensitization: The client is encouraged to notice any changes in their feelings as they continue the bilateral stimulation. The goal is to reduce the emotional intensity of the anxiety.
Reevaluation: After processing, the therapist assesses the client’s feelings to ensure the anxiety has decreased.
EMD is particularly effective for individuals dealing with generalized anxiety, social anxiety, or situations where anxiety is pervasive but not tied to a specific traumatic memory.
2. Performance Anxiety Protocol
Performance anxiety often arises in situations where individuals are concerned about their ability to succeed or fear being judged by others. Whether it’s public speaking, athletic performance, or job interviews, performance anxiety can severely hinder an individual’s ability to perform at their best. The Performance Anxiety Protocol in EMDR therapy helps individuals process the negative beliefs and fears associated with performance anxiety.
How the Performance Anxiety Protocol Works:
Identify Negative Beliefs: The therapist helps the client identify beliefs like "I'm not good enough," "I will fail," or "I’ll embarrass myself."
Bilateral Stimulation: The therapist uses bilateral stimulation to help the client process these negative beliefs and associated fears.
Install Positive Beliefs: Once negative beliefs are processed, the therapist works with the client to install more adaptive, positive beliefs, such as "I am confident" and "I can succeed."
Visualization: The client is asked to visualize performing in a high-pressure situation, such as speaking in public or competing in a sport, while using bilateral stimulation to reduce anxiety.
Reevaluation: The therapist checks in with the client to assess how they feel about performing and if any residual anxiety remains.
This protocol is useful for individuals experiencing anxiety in public speaking, sports performance, musical performances, and other performance situations where fear of failure or judgment is prominent.
3. Recent Event Protocol
The Recent Event Protocol is used to help individuals process anxiety that stems from recent, distressing events. Whether it’s a recent conflict at work, a breakup, or a life-changing event, the Recent Event Protocol can help clients reprocess the event and reduce the anxiety it triggers.
How the Recent Event Protocol Works:
Identify the Event: The therapist helps the client identify a recent event that is causing anxiety.
Assess Negative Beliefs: The client identifies negative beliefs related to the event, such as “I’m not safe” or “I can’t handle this.”
Bilateral Stimulation: Using bilateral stimulation, the therapist helps the client reprocess the event and reduce the emotional intensity attached to it.
Desensitization: The client processes the event until the emotional charge attached to it diminishes.
Reevaluation: The therapist evaluates how the client feels after processing the event and assesses whether further processing is needed.
This protocol is effective for individuals experiencing acute anxiety related to recent personal conflicts, stressful life transitions, or distressing experiences.
4. The Standard EMDR Protocol with Float Back Technique
The Standard EMDR Protocol is the full, eight-phase protocol developed for the treatment of trauma and anxiety. One key component of this protocol is the Float Back technique, which is used to identify the target sequence for treatment. This technique helps therapists guide clients back to earlier memories that may be contributing to present-day anxiety, enabling them to process and resolve these underlying issues.
How the Float Back Technique Works:
Identify the Presenting Problem: The therapist helps the client focus on the current issue or emotional distress they are experiencing, such as generalized anxiety or panic attacks.
Float Back: The therapist then asks the client to “float back” through time to identify earlier memories or experiences that might be connected to the current problem. These past experiences often have unresolved emotions or negative beliefs that continue to affect the individual in the present.
Target Sequence: Using the Float Back technique, the therapist helps the client identify a sequence of memories that are related to the presenting issue. The target memories become the focus of the EMDR treatment, allowing the client to reprocess them and reduce the emotional charge attached to them.
Bilateral Stimulation: The therapist uses bilateral stimulation to help the client process the target memories. This allows the client to reframe their thoughts, reduce emotional intensity, and develop more adaptive emotional responses to similar situations in the future.
The Standard EMDR Protocol with the Float Back technique is a comprehensive approach for individuals who need to address deeply rooted memories or unresolved emotional issues contributing to anxiety.
Benefits of EMDR Therapy for Anxiety
EMDR therapy offers a unique advantage for individuals struggling with anxiety because it addresses the root causes—often unprocessed memories or unresolved emotions from the past. By reprocessing these memories, EMDR allows individuals to heal from the underlying causes of their anxiety, leading to long-term relief.
Some benefits of EMDR therapy for anxiety include:
Reduction in emotional intensity: By processing unprocessed memories and emotions, clients often experience a significant reduction in anxiety.
Improved emotional regulation: EMDR helps clients develop better emotional regulation and coping mechanisms.
Faster results: Many clients report significant relief from anxiety after just a few sessions.
Long-term healing: EMDR addresses the root causes of anxiety, leading to lasting improvements in emotional well-being.
Conclusion
Anxiety is a complex and often overwhelming condition, but EMDR therapy provides an effective way to address the root causes and provide lasting relief. Whether through the EMD protocol, Performance Anxiety Protocol, Recent Event Protocol, or the Standard EMDR Protocol with the Float Back technique, EMDR helps individuals process and heal from past experiences that contribute to their anxiety.
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If you're struggling with anxiety, EMDR therapy may be the transformative approach you're looking for. Contact one of our qualified therapists to learn more about how EMDR can help you reprocess your memories, reduce anxiety, and improve your emotional resilience. Start your therapy journey with Sage Leaf Wellness by following these simple steps:
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Other Services Offered with Sage Leaf Wellness
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