The Lifeline of EMDR Therapy for First Responders

First responders are the unsung heroes of our society, often exposed to traumatic events that can lead to severe stress, PTSD or Chronic PTSD. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has emerged as a beacon of hope for these brave individuals.

EMDR therapy is a psychotherapy technique proven effective for trauma treatment. It uses bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, to help patients process and make sense of traumatic memories. The goal is to reduce the long-lasting effects of distressing memories and promote a healthier response.

The first time I heard about this form of therapy, I mentally and probably physically rolled my eyes. I was in therapy for some severe PTSD issues that developed after a brutal homicide of a 4 year old girl by torture and intentional drowning. The same month, one of my best friends was diagnosed with leukemia and later died.

I remember thinking “ok, so my therapist is going to have me follow her fingers with my eyes and then somehow magically I’m going to stop having these flashbacks and intrusive thoughts. Sounds like complete BS hippie weirdness.” I’m not going into the whole story here, but certain sights and smells related to the homicide scene would put me right back in the scene. I couldn’t look at a pizza box or smell cat urine without a visceral physical reaction. I was at Cabela’s one day and walked past dog training equipment and saw a shock collar and almost threw up. I was desperate to make it all stop and gain some control over it, so I agreed to the EMDR. 

The best way I can explain EMDR is the trained therapist walks you through a process of capturing prominent memories and re-filing them in your brain and memory. My experience was that it was like cleaning up a work bench and putting things where they need to be. Those memories aren’t gone because we can’t erase them, but they’re put in the “right place” so I know where they are. The process also gave me back control of when and if I open that drawer to see those memories and how I access them. 

I understand that the process sounds weird, and that’s because it’s different than talk therapy. In EMDR you’re an active physical participant in your own healing. I thought it sounded like some sort of cousin to hypnosis. In reality, it is an evidence based practice that has been found in certain scientific studies to be effective in the treatment of PTSD. 

All I know is that it was the one thing that worked for me and combined with breaking an alcohol addiction, set me on the path to recovery, health and wellness. 

For first responders, the importance of EMDR therapy cannot be overstated. They are regularly exposed to traumatic incidents, from accidents to violent crimes, which can lead to PTSD if not addressed. EMDR therapy offers a way to confront these memories in a safe environment, under the guidance of a trained professional.

The therapy helps first responders reprocess traumatic memories, changing the way these memories are stored in the brain. This can reduce the intensity of traumatic images and promote emotional healing. As a result, first responders can continue their crucial work without being hindered by the emotional toll of past events.

In conclusion, EMDR therapy is a vital tool in supporting the mental health of first responders. It allows them to process trauma in a healthy way, fostering resilience and enabling them to continue serving our communities. As we continue to recognize the mental health needs of first responders, EMDR therapy stands as a testament to progress in this field.

If you or a family member are struggling with PTSD, please reach out for help. Responder Health (responderhealth.com) is an organization that offers resources specifically for first responders and their families. Responder Health provides confidential and full-service solutions that support first responders through stress and traumatic events, and provides them with the education, resources, and community they need to live healthy, happy lives. Our peer advocate hotline (206)459-3020 offers a confidential 24-hour crisis referral service for all public safety employees, all emergency services personnel, and their family members nationwide. Our peer advocates can assist you in locating a qualified EMDR provider that understands the issues first responders deal with and have been exposed to. 

If you, someone you love or someone you know needs help, call: