OEI Therapy vs. EMDR: The Key Differences

If you’re feeling stuck after experiencing trauma—be it workplace trauma, childhood wounds, or PTSD—you’ve might have heard about EMDR therapy. But there’s another option that is being noted for effective treatment of trauma, especially in Vancouver: OEI Therapy – Observed Experiential Integration.

Let’s take a look at how these therapies compare, some of the drawbacks, and which one might be better for you?

What Is EMDR Therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based therapy that uses a procedure to help survivors process traumatic memories.

It involves recalling distressing events while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as side-to-side eye movements. This exposure of painful, personal details aims to reduce the emotional charge of traumatic memories, making them less vivid and distressing over time.

EMDR has been widely recognized as treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

What Is OEI Therapy?

Observed Experiential Integration (OEI) therapy is a gentle neuroscience-informed approach that has evolved from EMDR, keeping what works and leaving what survivors find difficult with the 8 phases of the procedure.

Unlike EMDR, OEI focuses on integrating traumatic memories through non-verbal means.

Instead of verbal pathways, like talking about trauma, OEI therapy uses visual pathways and somatic cues. This method allows individuals to process trauma without the need to verbally recount and revivify distressing events, making it a safer, gentler option for those who find traditional talk therapies overwhelming and for those who can’t even remember.

Key Differences Between OEI and EMDR

Which Therapy Is Right for You?

If you find it challenging to talk about your trauma, feel overwhelmed by verbal processing, or can’t access the memories, OEI therapy might be a better fit.

On the other hand, if you’re comfortable with structured sessions and verbalizing your experiences, EMDR could be effective.

OEI Therapy in Vancouver

Both EMDR and OEI therapies offer pathways to healing from trauma.

You don’t have to remember to recover.

If you’re curious about how OEI therapy works, you can read more here: How OEI therapy helps trauma survivors heal faster

If you’re interested in exploring a gentle alternative with all the benefits of EMDR for treating trauma, we offer in-person and online sessions forh clients in Vancouver, US, UK and Australia.

Let’s connect.