Clear as Mud: EMDR & The Christ Follower

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him….6 After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
-John 9:1-

I am asked the question, “Is EMDR biblical?” The above quoted passage might seem an odd response to this genuine concern. Let me explain.  

What is EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)? At Apollos Center we see EMDR as an instrument God uses to heal the broken. Did the mud have the power to heal? Not apart from the power of God. God uses all types of tools in His hands to restore the lost and to heal the broken. EMDR is a powerful tool that God is using to heal clients at Apollos Center and many other professional counseling centers around the world.  

How does it work? One of my favorite comparisons to this story of Jesus healing the blind man through mud is that we really DON’T KNOW how EMDR works. There have been theories presented (including the idea that the eye movement resembles the healing process of REM sleep) but the truth is neuroscience has yet to explain exactly what is happening that heals the mind, body and spirit through EMDR. The  results, however, are proof enough that the power of God is working through EMDR to heal many. More effective than talk therapy alone and with longer lasting results, EMDR can help heal trauma, anxiety, depression, OCD, and attachment wounding. The majority of counselors at Apollos Center are trained in EMDR and witness miracles for God’s glory on a daily basis.  

What we do understand is how memories are stored in the brain. Each memory includes an image, emotion, belief, and body sensation. Some memories are missing information or for various reasons “get stuck”. We call these maladaptive experiences. A collection of maladaptive experiences results in distressing feelings leading to harmful behavioral and relational patterns. Through EMDR, the therapist and client invite the Holy Spirit to replace negative or false beliefs with His truth. EMDR is the bridge God uses to move stuck memories and restore the safety and security that was lost.  

Just like Jesus restored sight to the blind man by placing mud on his eyes, we see God restoring abundant life through “Eyes Moving to Digest and Reorganize” (Taken from a children’s book written by Ana Gomez on EMDR). For more information on EMDR visit the international association. 

If you have any questions or feel you or someone you love might benefit from EMDR please reach out to schedule an appointment with one of our EMDR Therapists listed below.

• BARBARA "BOBBIE" GRIFFIN - COUNSELOR MABC, LPC | EMDR Certified

• MITZI MCBRIDE -COUNSELOR, LCSW  | EMDR Trained

• HAZZEL MONTERROZA - COUNSELOR, LCSW  | EMDR Trained

• ELIZABETH PENNINGTON - COUNSELOR M.A., LPC, RPT | EMDR Certified

• CLAUDIA MATTOX - COUNSELOR M.A., LPC-A  | EMDR Trained