Can EMDR Therapy work for Professional Athletes?

Picture this scenario: a basketball game, Game 7 of the NBA Finals, where the underdog road team has a one-point lead in the fourth quarter with 10 seconds left on the clock. The center inbounds the ball to the superstar at the top of the three-point line with 7 seconds remaining…6 seconds…5 seconds… The star player takes one dribble to the left, and opposing players form a double team at the arc of the three-point line…4 seconds, 3 seconds left, the star player splits the double team with two dribbles then rises for an open shot…Clink—the ball ricochets off the rim, and the game is over, with the favorite home team losing. The star is despondent and unable to speak after the agonizing loss during the press conference. Afterwards, he sits in his locker crying and wishes the pain would go away. He is a competitor who had a good chance to add to his impressive professional resume, but he missed; now, where does he go from here? He becomes depressed and isolates himself from his family and friends, with the game replaying in his mind. The star player needs relief, so he turns to alcohol as a short-term fix, but this solution turns his emotions into anger. He begins to question his own leadership and that of his teammates. The anger then turns into resentment toward the coach for calling the play in such a crucial possession. The star player needs help, or he may never be the same again. Who can he call or ask for advice? All scenarios considered, traumatic events can have a long-term impact on a person’s psyche, performance, and impulse control. The apparent solution is for the player to take a break and then return to practicing for the next season, but life isn’t that simple. The player begins to develop dissociative amnesia to suppress the memory of the event. Still, that can be a short-term fix because if he faces a similar situation again, he might suffer from what’s called “brain freeze trauma.” Despite being a multi-millionaire, this type of trauma can significantly affect a person, so using techniques to recall the event and develop coping skills in real-time will be very helpful.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based therapeutic approach for treating trauma by reducing stress caused by traumatic events. The process involves eye movements, sounds, and body tapping combined with bilateral stimulation. The goal is to help patients identify and assess negative emotions from a less harmful perspective. For example, missing a game-winning shot can be a traumatic experience, but the athlete has the choice to either let it break their spirit or use it as motivation to become better.

Initially, the psychologist or therapist collects historical information through a functional assessment of the patient and then uses those findings in the technique. Mindful meditation typically takes place in a quiet, distraction-free setting. After the traumatic event is identified, the clinician uses bilateral simulation by guiding the patient through body movements, auditory processing, and physical touch to help them recall the moment and then associate that memory with a positive insight. The aim is for the simulation to reduce emotional sensitivity and reprocess the brain’s ability to refocus. Subsequently, the patient experiences a cognitive shift where the negative memory no longer feels harmful. This method is mainly effective in treating depression and anxiety, which directly relate to the previous example.

As an athlete, there are many ways to achieve success, such as winning a championship, being named the Most Valuable Player, or becoming incredibly wealthy. Many professionals are aware of the fields that can benefit from EMDR; however, some individuals facing immense pressures may experience a devastating incident, and that’s where this process becomes instrumental. Therapy can not only reduce stress and improve performance but also relax muscle tension. Although the technique was initially developed to treat PTSD, many cases go unnoticed in society. Specifically, performance issues often impact both mental and physical health, preventing individuals from reaching their goals. Certain moods can lead a person to self-destruct, resulting in decreased performance in any job, especially in roles that require handling pressure with behavioral restraint. Inhibition can occur when athletes change teams or leagues, experience a decline in their skills, suffer career-threatening injuries, or face conflict within their team. From the athlete's perspective, they may feel sad, irritable, procrastinate on mental or physical recovery, and withdraw from their support circle.

EMDR can be effective for anyone, especially athletes who thrive on a certain mindset. Creating mental blocks can help manage emotions, process past failures, and shift one's mindset to achieve success. At that moment, when a game-winning shot is taken, it may feel less demoralizing to pass the ball.