EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms of emotional distress and psychological pain that occurred as a result of negative life events. Studies show that EMDR not only works much faster than traditional therapies but the results are maintained long after therapy has ended.
One of the key aspects of EMDR therapy is that the mind can heal from adverse events often in the same way the body recovers from an injury. For example, if you cut your hand, your body works to close the wound. However, if a foreign object or repeated injury irritates the wound, it festers and causes pain. Once the block is removed, healing resumes. Our minds work in similar ways in that that once a traumatic event is experienced, the mind makes repeated attempts to heal itself, but often cannot if something blocks this process. As a result, the emotional wound festers and can cause intense suffering and distress. EMDR works to remove this blockage, which resumes the mind’s natural healing process. Clients who are successful in EMDR therapy often describe feeling “free…unburdened…unshackled” and describe previously stressful events as no longer having an effect on them. The results of EMDR are drastically subtle and for many, it is life-changing. Through EMDR you will find your breakthrough.
Does it work?
There have been more than 30 positive controlled outcome studies that have shown EMDR to be efficacious. In several studies, it was shown that between 84%-90% of single-trauma victims no longer had PTSD symptoms after only three 90-minute sessions. In a study funded by the HMO Kaiser Permanente, they found that 100% of the single-trauma victims and 77% of multiple-trauma victims no longer were diagnosed with PTSD after only six 50-minute sessions. In an additional study, 77% of combat veterans were free of PTSD in 12 sessions. EMDR has been recognized as an effective form of treatment for trauma and other disturbing experiences by organizations such as the American Psychiatric Association, the World Health Organization and the Department of Defense. Given the worldwide recognition as an effective treatment of trauma, it can easily be seen how EMDR therapy would be effective in treating the “everyday” memories that are the reason people have low self-esteem, feelings of powerlessness, and all the myriad problems that bring them in for therapy. Over 100,000 clinicians throughout the world use the therapy. Millions of people have been treated successfully over the past 25 years.
How does it work?
EMDR therapy is integrative psychotherapy and uses a technique called bilateral stimulation to repeatedly activate opposite sides of the brain. Therapists often use eye movements to facilitate bilateral stimulation. These eye movements mimic the period of sleep referred to as rapid eye movement or REM sleep, and this portion of sleep is frequently considered to be the time when the mind processes the recent events in the person’s life.
EMDR seems to help the brain reprocess the trapped memories in such a way that normal information processing is resumed. Therapists often use EMDR to help clients uncover and process beliefs that developed as the result of relational traumas, or childhood abuse and/or neglect. For a more detailed explanation please visit the EMDR Institute, Inc.
During EMDR therapy sessions, you recall traumatic or triggering experiences in brief doses while the therapist directs your eye movements or initiates bilateral stimulation.
EMDR is thought to be effective because recalling distressing events is often less emotionally upsetting when your attention is diverted. This allows you to be exposed to memories or thoughts without having a strong psychological response.
Over time, this technique is believed to lessen the impact that the memories or thoughts have on you.
“EMDR Therapy changes maladaptive neural networks by connecting the traumatic memory with new information. The distressing thoughts and emotions are blended with new positive thoughts and emotions; embodied awareness allows frozen sensations in the body to resolve through healing movements.”
-Arielle Schwartz
What does EMDR help?
EMDR had been originally established as helpful for PTSD, although it has also been proven useful for treatment in the following conditions:
- Panic Attacks
- Complicated Grief
- Dissociative Orders
- Disturbing Memories
- Phobias
- Pain Disorders
- Performance Anxiety
- Addictions
- Stress Reduction
- Sexual and/or Physical Abuse
- Body Dysmorphic Disorders
- Personality Disorders