What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a unique psychotherapy approach designed to diminish the distress associated with traumatic memories. It involves the patient recalling a traumatic event while simultaneously undergoing bilateral sensory input, such as side-to-side eye movements, which helps reduce the emotional impact of the memory. This therapy is particularly effective for those dealing with trauma and PTSD, as it aids in processing and integrating traumatic experiences in a safe and controlled environment.
About EMdR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a groundbreaking and highly effective psychological treatment method that has revolutionized the field of mental health. Developed by Francine Shapiro, it uniquely harnesses the natural healing ability of the brain to process and overcome trauma, distressing memories, and other psychological stress.
At its core, EMDR therapy is based on the premise that our brains can heal from psychological pain just as our bodies recover from physical injury. The therapy uses a patient's rapid, rhythmic eye movements, guided by a therapist, to dampen the power of emotionally charged memories of past traumatic events. This process is believed to be linked to the biological mechanisms involved in Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, which help with processing unconscious material.
During EMDR sessions, patients briefly focus on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements), which is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories. The goal of EMDR therapy is not to forget the traumatic experience, but rather to fundamentally change the way the memory is stored in the brain, thus reducing and eliminating the problematic symptoms.
EMDR has been extensively researched and proven effective for treating trauma and PTSD. It's also increasingly being used to address a variety of other psychological issues, making it a versatile tool in the field of psychotherapy. The radical aspect of EMDR lies in its ability to enable individuals to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress resulting from disturbing life experiences, significantly faster than traditional talk therapy, offering hope and relief where other methods may have fallen short.
Trauma and How it affects the brain.
Is EDMR Therapy right for you?
“EMDR therapy shows us that the mind can in fact heal from psychological trauma much as the body recovers from physical trauma.” , the founder and creator of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy.”
— Francine Shapiro