What type of BLS to use in EMDR

With three forms of bilateral stimulation (BLS) to choose from in EMDR Therapy, which is the best to use? Join Dr Michael Paterson OBE, EMDR Europe Accredited Senior Trainer, as he guides you in making the right choice and explains his rationale. Sometimes we might need to use more than one type of BLS, Dr Paterson explains why you might consider this.

[@EMDRMasterclass]

The meta-analysis done by Lee & Cuipers (2013) draws on evidence from 26 studies on the effects of eyes movements. This strongly supports the use of EMs as the first choice of bilateral stimulation. Clinical experience shows us that the use of bilateral tapping or auditory tones also works. However, the received wisdom is to use tapping or tones as a second line form of BLS.

[@dartcree8185]

Social distance: You could do this easily with a metronome. You would need to put a very light weight extension on the metronome's wand to make the movements large enough. straw, ping pong ball?
Another way would be to take a bicycle wheel and either affix a brightly coloured object in the spokes near the rim, or to spraypaint a 6" chunk of the tire and rim a bright colour.

[@dartcree8185]

How do you use EMDR for a patient that is not triggered? Rather than being overwhelmed by emotions, he's blocked them?

[@deadlypalms]

Thank you for the upload and another excellent video. Do any studies indicate any type of BLS (e.g. eye movement vs tapping) having an advantage over another?

[@izdotcarter]

Does anyone ever do vertical eye movements?

[@MichaelPatersonOBE]

Vertical eye movements done slowly, and in short sets, such as 6 up and down movements, can ease frontal lobe discomfort. When reprocessing, we need to create bilateral movements, akin to what happens in REM sleep. A study published in Nature (Baek et al,2019) indicates that bilateral eye movements lead to a deactivation of the amygdala in a fear-inducing situation.