How EMDR Can Help First Responders With PTSD

Trauma therapy isn’t one size fits all—there are several different therapeutic modalities that can help first responders overcome PTSD. One of the most effective modalities is EMDR, which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. 

Before we dive into why EMDR is such a popular intervention, let’s discuss how common PTSD is among first responders and what risk factors may contribute to developing PTSD after a distressing event.

How Many First Responders Develop PTSD?

First responders are more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder because intervening during traumatic incidents is literally part of the job. As a result, first responders are roughly 3 times as likely to develop PTSD as people who are not first responders. They are also at a higher risk of depression and dying by suicide, which makes early intervention critical if they begin to experience mental health issues.

What Causes PTSD?

Sometimes, PTSD can be the result of one particularly bad event, but it can also develop from lots of smaller, more manageable incidents that mentally pile up over time. The latter is called “trauma stacking,” and it can feel like it comes out of nowhere. Rather than a single incident that you can pinpoint, it may begin to show up in panic attacks, insomnia, and other PTSD symptoms. 

PTSD is tied to experiencing traumatic events, but not every traumatic event causes PTSD. People can be resilient, even in very difficult circumstances. We don’t know exactly why some people develop PTSD and others don’t, even from the same event, but there are some risk factors that increase your likelihood of developing PTSD, such as:

• Childhood trauma.

• Not getting social support after a traumatic event.

• A history of mental illness or substance use.

How Does EMDR Treat PTSD?

EMDR treats PTSD by using bilateral stimulation (BLS) to reduce the amount of distress associated with a specific memory or stimuli. An EMDR-trained therapist can guide you through focusing on the distressing memory or stimuli, gradually reducing negative feelings around it, strengthening a more adaptive understanding of the event, and decreasing your experience of PTSD symptoms. 

Bilateral stimulation can be created with a variety of techniques, including visual tracking, neural beats, and tapping on opposite sides of your body. Part of the intake process with an EMDR therapist will include discussing which method is the best fit for you. Some therapists may also let you try several methods to evaluate which one is most comfortable.

We don’t know exactly why bilateral stimulation is so successful at helping the brain reprocess trauma, but some theories are:

• It mimics the eye movements people make during REM sleep.

• It distracts people while they recall the distressing event, reducing how vivid the memory is.

• It stimulates communication between the brain’s hemispheres.

Research into why EMDR is effective is ongoing, but regardless of why it works, studies repeatedly show that it works, which is why it is one of the top interventions that the World Health Organization recommends for PTSD.

Why Do First Responders Choose EMDR?

One of the reasons that EMDR is popular among first responders is that it is a relatively fast-working therapy. Many patients see a meaningful improvement in their symptoms in as little as six sessions, which is much quicker than other therapeutic modalities, such as CBT or DBT. This helps first responders get back to their jobs and regular lives quickly after a traumatic incident.

Another reason that EMDR is popular among first responders is because therapists who are trained in EMDR are usually experienced in working with trauma patients. Unfortunately, not all therapists are capable of managing the kind of traumatic events that first responders see on a weekly or even daily basis. It’s important to find a therapist who specializes in working with first responders, or may even be a first responder themselves.

Can I Start EMDR?

If you’re curious about starting EMDR, you can contact Phoenix Therapeutics to schedule an EMDR consultation. During that consultation, your therapist will discuss their process with you and give you an opportunity to share your reasons for seeking treatment. 

Depending on what you’re struggling with, your therapist may recommend other interventions before starting EMDR, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). For example, substance use can reduce the effectiveness of EMDR, so if you’re struggling with a substance use disorder in addition to PTSD, they may recommend addressing that first.

Rise With Phoenix Therapeutics

Our founder, Brooke, is a first responder herself, so she understands the unique challenges that first responders face when it comes to trauma and mental health. We specifically train our team in working with first responders and ensure they are equipped to support you in your healing journey.

To schedule an appointment with our team, you can call or text us at (224) 276 - 8930 or email us at info@phoenixtherapeutics.org.