Perinatal & Postnatal EMDR
Telehealth EMDR Therapy Australia-Wide

What is EMDR?

“EMDR therapy is an integrative, client-centered approach that treats problems of daily living based on disturbing life experiences that continue to have a negative impact on a person throughout the lifespan. Its Adaptive Information Processing theory hypothesizes that current difficulties are caused by disturbing memories that are inadequately processed, and that symptoms are reduced or eliminated altogether when these memories are processed to resolution using dual attention bilateral stimulation. The resolution of these targeted memories is hypothesized to result in memory reconsolidation. The standard application of EMDR therapy is comprised of eight phases and a three-pronged approach to identify and process: (a) Memories of past adverse life experiences that underlie present problems; (b)Present-day situations that elicit disturbance and maladaptive responses; and (c) Anticipatory future scenarios that require adaptive responses. There is strong empirical evidence for its use in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder, and it has also been found to be an effective, transdiagnostic treatment approach for a wide range of diagnoses in a variety of contexts and treatment settings with diverse populations.”

- Laliotis et al., (2021).

When Should You Start EMDR
If Pregnant

Many women start EMDR therapy around the time of the eighth week of their pregnancy. This allows time to work through the phases of EMDR, which involve a range of assessments, and questionnaires and preparatory work for processing. Many women find starting earlier in pregnancy helpful as it allows them the time to listen to their body and pace therapy as needed to work towards reducing stress and helplessness and becoming more empowered as they approach their birth. The wonderful thing about EMDR is that its earlier phases involve resourcing, and stress reduction which can incorporate breath and meditation work, which can be helpful in preparation for birth.

What To Expect In A EMDR Appointment

There are several steps/phases to EMDR treatment

• Think of a troubling memory, then identify an image of the worst moment of that memory

• Identify a negative belief about what worst moment

• Identify emotions and bodily feelings linked to that moment

In the preparation phases you may be asked to:

In the processing phases you may be asked to:

• Think about the image & belief whilst making left-to-right eye movements

• Allow your mind to 'go with' whatever comes up and just notice what happens

• This process will be repeated until the memory causes less distress (this may take one or multiple sessions)

**Adapted from Psychology Tools EMDR Handout

If You Want to Learn More About EMDR and Telehealth EMDR

References

Baas, M. A., Stramrood, C. A., Dijksman, L. M., de Jongh, A., & van Pampus, M G. (2017). The OptiMUM-study: EMDR therapy in pregnant women with posttraumatic stress disorder after previous childbirth and pregnant women with fear of childbirth: design of a multicenter randomized controlled trial. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 1293315. Open access: https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2017.1293315

Chiorino, V., Cattaneo, M. C., Macchi, E. A., Salerno, R., Roveraro, S., Bertolucci, G. G., . . . & Fernandez, I. (2019). The EMDR recent birth trauma protocol: A pilot randomized clinical trial after traumatic childbirth. Psychology and Health, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2019.1699088

Cortizo, R. (2020). Prenatal and perinatal EMDR therapy: Early family intervention. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 14(2), 104-115. Open access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/EMDR-D-19-00046

Furuta, M., Horsch, A., Ng, E. S. W., Bick, D., Spain, D., & Sin, J. (2018). Effectiveness of Trauma-Focused Psychological Therapies for Treating Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in Women Following Childbirth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 9, 591. Open access: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00591/full

Hendrix, Y. M. G. A., van Dongen, K. S. M., de Jongh, A., & van Pampus, M. G. (2021). Postpartum early EMDR intervention (PERCEIVE) study for women after a traumatic birth experience: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. BMC Trials, 22, 599. Open access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-021-05545-6

Kavakci, O., & Yenicesu,m G. I., (2014) Eye Movement Desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) for Hyeremesis Gravidarum: A case Series. The Journal of Psychiatry and Neurological Sciences, 27, 335-341

Laliotis., et al. (2021) What is EMDR Therapy? Past, Present, and Future Directions. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 15,(4). 185-201

P.G. Taylor Miller, M. Sinclair, P Gillen, J. E. M. McCullough, P. W. Miller, D. P. Farrell, P. F. Slater, E. Shapiro, P. Klaus. (2021). Early Psychological Interventions and Treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and post-traumatic stress symptoms in post-partum women: A systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Warren, Bethany (2022) EMDR Therapy and Pregnancy. EMDRIA Blog Post, https://www.emdria.org/specialty-areas/birth-trauma-and-pregnancy-loss/emdr-therapy-and-pregnancy/