Combining EMDR and IFS for Trauma, Complex Trauma, and Beyond
Trauma, in all its forms, often leaves deep emotional wounds that impact every aspect of a person’s life. For many, this trauma shows up as depression, anxiety, substance use, and relationship challenges. While there are many therapeutic approaches available, two that have proven particularly effective for addressing trauma and complex trauma are EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and IFS (Internal Family Systems). When combined, they create a powerful, integrative approach to healing.
What is EMDR?
EMDR is a trauma-focused therapy that helps clients process traumatic memories and the distressing emotions tied to those memories. Through bilateral stimulation (like eye movements), EMDR helps reduce the emotional charge connected to past traumatic experiences. It allows the brain to reprocess these memories so that they no longer trigger overwhelming emotions or dysfunctional behaviors.
What is IFS?
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapeutic model that views the mind as made up of different "parts." These parts often form in response to trauma and function as protectors, exiles, or managers. In IFS, the goal is to help the client build a relationship with their "Self"—a core, compassionate presence—and work with these internal parts to resolve conflict and release burdens from past experiences.
The Power of Integration
When EMDR and IFS are used together, they provide a holistic approach to healing trauma and its related mental health conditions. Here’s how they complement each other:
1. Building Safety and Trust (IFS) Before Trauma Reprocessing (EMDR)
Complex trauma often involves parts of the self that are fragmented or overwhelmed. IFS helps clients connect with these parts in a safe and compassionate way, which can be essential before diving into trauma work with EMDR. This process builds trust, allowing the client to feel safe enough to address traumatic memories without retraumatization.
2. Identifying Protective Parts
In many cases, parts of the self may resist trauma reprocessing because they are trying to protect the person from further harm. These parts might present as substance use, anxiety, or even depression—ways of numbing or distracting from emotional pain. IFS helps identify these parts and honors their protective roles, allowing for a more collaborative approach to EMDR. By understanding these parts, clients can gain insight into why they’ve been stuck in certain patterns.
3. Reprocessing Trauma with Respect to the Whole System
Once safety and understanding are established, EMDR can be used to help reprocess the traumatic memories. With the IFS framework in place, parts that were once hesitant or resistant to processing may feel more ready to allow the client to engage in EMDR. This helps reduce the emotional intensity of trauma-related memories, and the relief is often felt throughout the internal system of parts.
4. Addressing Depression, Anxiety, and Substance Use
Many clients with trauma also struggle with depression, anxiety, or substance use. These can be seen as the "managers" or "protectors" in the IFS model, trying to shield the client from deeper pain. Once EMDR helps process the core traumatic memories, these parts often soften their protective roles, leading to a reduction in symptoms like anxiety or compulsive behaviors. The internal system becomes more balanced, and clients are better able to experience feelings of calm, clarity, and connection.
Working with Complex Trauma
When working with complex trauma, there are often layers of traumatic experiences to address. This can include childhood abuse, neglect, or repeated exposure to traumatic events. The combination of EMDR and IFS is particularly effective for complex trauma because:
IFS provides the necessary groundwork for understanding the complexities of a client's internal world.
EMDR offers a structured, evidence-based approach to processing the trauma, but with IFS integrated, the client is never forced to move faster than their system can handle.
Recovery is Possible
The synergy between EMDR and IFS allows for deep healing. These two therapies together address trauma at both the emotional and cognitive levels, while also honoring the client’s internal world. By building a compassionate relationship with their parts through IFS and reprocessing their trauma with EMDR, clients can break free from the cycles of depression, anxiety, substance use, and other trauma-related symptoms.
While no one approach works for everyone, the combination of EMDR and IFS offers a flexible, client-centered path toward healing and resilience. With these tools, the past no longer has to dictate the present, and true recovery becomes not just possible, but sustainable.
