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RLCC Statement of Faith on EMDR Therapy

Curious if EMDR therapy lines up with your biblical worldview? Read below to learn more. Or request a free 15-minute consultation! 

Is EMDR therapy demonic?

Is EMDR therapy demonic?

This is the question. I have heard several sceptics on how EMDR therapy is not biblical, it does not line up with scripture, it is like hypnosis, etc. These statements do not provide truth in their entirety.

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Facts

  1. EMDR is not the same as hypnosis. There are some therapists who use hypnosis and integrate hypnosis with EMDR therapy. However, this is not a part of EMDR therapy at the basic level. The basic protocol of EMDR therapy provides a foundation for the client to be in complete control. A client is completely awake and aware of what is going on. The client thinks about a memory and can choose to stop processing on their own at any time. They are fully present and fully aware. Please see my EMDR client handbook for more information.

  2. Francine Shapiro, who founded EMDR, presented studies of the protocol based on psychological self-healing rather than spiritual formation.

  3. EMDR at the basic protocol is based on secular psychology.

  4. Some practitioners use meditation in some phases of EMDR therapy.

  5. Francine Shapiro, did not use scripture or spiritual considerations in her studies.

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At the Basic level, without faith integration, EMDR therapy is not Christ-centered. However, this can be said about the counseling field in general. That’s why we seek out Christian therapists, Holy Spirit-filled therapists, and Christ-centered therapists. We seek them out because we know that they have been trained to integrate faith practices and the Christian world view with therapy. EMDR therapy is no different.

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EMDR from a Biblical Perspective

  • Christian therapists pray before and during the session to invite the Holy Spirit to guide the session, and the clients to healing.

    • Healing only comes through Jesus. We are just a tool.

  • Christian therapists teach coping skills, psychoeducation, and resourcing from a biblical perspective. For example, “Imagine Jesus is with you in this memory…”

    • We guide clients to rely on God for strength

  • Christian therapists present the “cognitive distortions” from a lie vs. truth perspective.

    • Expose the lie your client is believing and replace it with truth from God’s Word.

  • Christian therapists use Christ centered cognitive interweaves to help the client conclude a more Christ-centered way of looking at things.

    • For example: How does that line up with what you know about God? Or how does that line up with your faith beliefs?

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In conclusion, EMDR therapy is not demonic unless someone makes it that way.

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As a seasoned Christian, EMDR therapist, I can say that EMDR therapy can also be biblical.

  1. The AIP model was studied and is based on REM sleep. Which is how God created our brains to process and heal.

  2. When we invite Holy Spirit to work, people find transformation and lasting change.

  3. When we take thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ, (through EMDR processing) people renew their minds and find lasting transformation.

  4. When your therapist understands spiritual warfare and is willing to fight with you, chains are broken.

  5. When clients can process properly, they heal and extend forgiveness to themselves and others.

If you are interested in learning more, visit my About EMDR page, read my blogs, or schedule a FREE 15-minute consultation.

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