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What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy developed by Francine Shapiro in 1987, aimed at treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health issues. EMDR leverages the brain’s natural ability to heal itself, a process that occurs similarly during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep.

How Does EMDR Work?

The brain typically processes and alleviates stress and anxiety naturally during sleep, particularly in REM sleep, which involves communication among the amygdala (which signals stress), the hippocampus (which aids in learning and memory), and the prefrontal cortex (which manages behavior and emotions).

However, some traumatic experiences can become “stuck,” causing the individual to relive the distress repeatedly, impacting their daily life and functioning.

EMDR therapy helps the brain reprocess these traumatic memories, reducing the emotional distress associated with them.

While the memory of the experience remains, the emotional and physiological responses to the memory are resolved. This can result in a decrease in distress and a change in the narrative of the memory, rendering it less impactful on daily life.

What is an EMDR Session Like?

  1. Assessment and Treatment Plan: The therapist conducts a thorough assessment and creates a personalized treatment plan.

  2. Recollection of Disturbing Memory: The client is asked to focus on a specific distressing memory.

  3. Eye Movements and Bilateral Stimulation: The therapist guides the client’s eye movements by moving their finger back and forth across the client’s visual field, mimicking the eye movements during REM sleep. Alternatives can include the “Butterfly Hug”, lightbars, tapping, or any activity the replicates bilateral stimulation. For example, with some young children, wobble boards help.

  4. Processing and Reporting: After each set of Bilateral Stimulation, the client reports their experiences, which may include changes in thoughts, images, and feelings.

  5. Repetition and Resolution: This process is repeated, leading to the memory losing its painful intensity and becoming a neutral recollection. Associated memories may also heal, resulting in significant improvements in the client’s life.
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Applications of EMDR:

Originally developed for PTSD, EMDR has been successfully used to treat a variety of conditions, including:

  • Anxiety and panic attacks
  • Grief and loss
  • Depression
  • Addictions
  • Anger issues
  • Pain, including phantom limb pain
  • Phobias
  • Performance anxiety
  • Sleep problems
  • Feelings of worthlessness or low self-esteem

Advantages of EMDR:

One key benefit of EMDR is that it doesn’t require clients to discuss distressing issues in detail. Instead, it enables the brain to access its natural healing processes. As a result, EMDR often requires fewer sessions compared to other forms of psychotherapy.

For a visual explanation of EMDR, you can watch this video: EMDR Explanation Video.

Overall, EMDR is a powerful therapeutic tool that harnesses the brain’s innate capacity to heal from trauma and distressing experiences, facilitating rapid and substantial recovery for many individuals.

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