What is EMDR?
EMDR is a structured therapy that encourages the patient to focus briefly 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.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and PTSD symptoms.
What Can EMDR Be Helpful For?
- Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias
- Chronic Illness and medical issues
- Depression & Bipolar Disorders
- Dissociative disorders
- Eating disorders
- Grief and loss
- Pain
- Performance anxiety
- Personality disorders
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder & Other Trauma & Stress Disorders
- Sexual assault
- Sleep disturbance
- Violence and abuse
What Can You Expect?
After the therapist and client agree that EMDR therapy is a good fit, the client will work through the eight phases of EMDR therapy with their therapist.
Attention will be given to a negative image, belief, emotion, and body sensation related to this event, and then to a positive belief that would indicate the issue was resolved.
A typical EMDR therapy session lasts from 60-90 minutes. EMDR therapy may be used within a standard talking therapy, as an adjunctive therapy with a separate therapist, or as a treatment all by itself.
EMDR is a therapy technique effective in treating trauma and PTSD by utilizing bilateral sensory input to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories.
Reference
EMDR International Association. (2023, August 8). About EMDR Therapy. EMDR International Association. https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/
