Does EMDR Therapy Work For Complex Trauma?
Complex trauma requires a skilled therapist to heal. From attachment wounds to emotional reactivity to nervous system dysregulation, it's a tough lot. EMDR therapy has proven time and again to be effective for trauma, but most research has explored how it works for single incident traumas. So does seeing an EMDR therapist work when the trauma is complex?
Defining Complex Trauma
Given the mind-body connection, all trauma is somewhat complex. Our neural networks are intricate. So calling anyone's trauma simple can feel a little insulting. We know even a single-incident trauma can have a huge negative impact on someone's life. So what do we mean when we say complex trauma?
Timeline of Complex Trauma
Complex trauma often persists over many years, even after the person is no longer exposed to the situation that caused the trauma. If not healed, it can be lifelong and devastating. And while it requires skilled assistance to heal, it absolutely can be healed.
Symptoms of Complex Trauma
While "classic" trauma includes anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares, and other well-known symptoms, complex trauma involves pervasive symptoms across multiple systems. Some common symptoms of complex trauma include:
Attachment wounds
Unhealthy coping behaviors
Repeated unhealthy relationship patterns
Emotional reactivity
Physical responses
Sleep disturbances; nightmares, insomnia
Heightened anxiety and other mental health issues
Nervous system dysregulation
Attachment Wounds
Attachment is perhaps the most misunderstood part of complex trauma. We are all born with a need to connect to others. But with complex trauma, our need for connection often gets warped. Complex trauma often results in attachment wounds, meaning a foundational sense of not being safe in relationships. This can result in multiple outcomes; some people become anxiously attached and desperate to secure attachment, while others avoid attachment despite yearning for it. We also see repeated patterns of engaging in unhealthy, lopsided, or abusive relationships.
Nervous System Dysregulation
Nothing does a number on our nervous system like complex trauma. Because complex trauma makes you feel fundamentally unsafe, your body learns to default to that. It's different than anxiety; anxiety is often specific fears and worries about the future. Nervous system dysregulation is about a primal lack of safety in the world. Understandably, complex trauma often leads to this. Over time, and with the right holistic approach, it can be changed.
Unhealthy Coping Behaviors
We're not here to judge; all behavior makes complete sense in context. But some coping behaviors were once effective but now cause more damage than good. This highly specific to the individual, but some common themes here are substance use, risky other non-substance addiction behaviors, avoidance, etc.
Emotional Reactivity
Often stemming from our attachment wounds and from our learned self-protection strategies, being emotionally reactive is a common response to complex trauma. If you find yourself flipping out over small things and then wondering why, it could be a sign of complex trauma.
How Can EMDR Therapy Help With Complex Trauma?
EMDR therapy is a powerful tool to heal trauma. If you're tired of living with the effects of complex trauma, here are things to know.
Rewiring Your Brain Is Possible
EMDR harnesses the full power of neuroplasticity and uses it to your advantage. Neuroplasticity has been studied for decades and its possibilities continue to amaze scientists. We are truly an adaptive organism from top to bottom.
EMDR can help you make new neural connections that help detangle trauma networks for good. When EMDR is effective, you can be reminded of your trauma, even in a subtle way, and not have any reaction. Truly! While what happened to you will never be okay, you can feel grounded in the present and enjoy your life after healing.
Healing Attachment Wounds With An EMDR Therapist Is Possible
The body is naturally inclined to heal itself, and so is the brain. With trauma and attachment wounds, the brain often needs a little help. Just like a cast for a broken bone or round of antibiotics for an infection, sometimes we need medical intervention. And though it's not as quick as healing a bone or curing an infection, EMDR can absolutely help heal attachment wounds. Identifying the early and wounding experiences and messages you internalized through EMDR can help you unpack them and develop healthier internal beliefs.
Healing Complex Trauma with EMDR Therapy Takes Time
EMDR got a swift reputation for being a quick fix. And for some simple traumas, people do see results in as little as 8-10 sessions. But complex trauma takes time and energy to heal. Going through the eight phases of EMDR requires patience; rushing through will likely cause more trauma than healing. Working with a skilled and experienced EMDR therapist shouldn't feel like a mad dash.
You Can't Skimp On Resourcing When Using EMDR Therapy To Process Complex Trauma
Many people want to get right to phase four of the eight phase EMDR therapy model: the reprocessing phase. But we would argue that phase two is the most critical phase: resourcing and stabilization to prepare you for trauma processing.
San Francisco EMDR therapist Alexis Harney, AMFT, listening to a client go through their trauma history in preparation for EMDR processing.
Preparation for EMDR Therapy For Complex Trauma
People with complex trauma often need more resourcing and preparation to be able to tolerate processing. Resourcing looks different for each person, but might include:
Identifying positive, nurturing, and safe relationships and figures in your life
Accessing positive, calming memories
Creating a fictional calm place to mentally go to
Physical and mental exercises to regulate the nervous system
Identifying positive activities that promote positive self-image
Identifying resilient and wise parts of yourself
If those things sound difficult, it's a sign you would benefit from resourcing. A good EMDR therapist will spend ample time on this so you feel strong and ready to face the intensity of processing.
See: The Most Overlooked Part of EMDR Therapy: Resourcing
See: Will EMDR Therapy Be Too Intense For Me?
How Long Does Resourcing and Preparation For EMDR Therapy Take For People With Complex Trauma?
Some people have an innate resilience and only needs a few sessions of preparation for processing. But for many people with complex trauma, they are only able to tolerate processing after a few months of resourcing. We know that you're anxious to heal your trauma. But trust us, the resourcing phase of EMDR therapy is incredibly important, even if it doesn't feel as productive as active trauma processing.
The Complex Web of Trauma
Our brains are making millions of connections from data input every day as we walk through the world. It is very good at its job! It is learning how to protect you and keep you at a place of homeostasis by assessing for threats. With complex trauma, the web of data your brain has deemed “dangerous” is complicated and vastly interconnected. It can take some time to untangle, but it’s totally possible.
Do You Have To Process Every Single Trauma In Your Life To Feel Good With EMDR Therapy?
Very simply, no! Think of a long line of dominoes. Sometimes all takes is finding a few key events and processing those to knock the whole line dine. It can take time to identify what those events are, but once you process them, it’s amazing how much relief a person can feel. These types of breakthroughs are of course our favorite to witness as EMDR therapists.
Alexis Harney, LMFT
Alexis is a licensed EMDR therapist working with adults and teens in California & Florida. She emphasizes resourcing and preparation before complex trauma processing to help clients have the best possible EMDR therapy outcomes.
EMDR Therapy For Attachment Wounds and Complex Trauma in California & Florida
If you're in California or Florida and looking to heal your complex trauma and attachment wounds through work with a skilled and experienced EMDR therapist, book a free consultation today. You’ll chat directly with one of our EMDR therapists for 20 minutes to see if we might be a good fit. If we're not, we'll point you toward someone who might be. There's no pressure to book. If you're outside of California or Florida, see our staff page for which clinicians are licensed in other states.
