EMDR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT IS EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR, is a powerful psychotherapy technique which has been very successful in helping people who suffer from trauma, anxiety, panic, disturbing memories, chronic pain, post traumatic stress and many other problems. Until recently, these conditions were difficult and time-consuming to treat. EMDR is considered a breakthrough therapy because of its simplicity and the fact that it can bring quick and lasting relief for most types of emotional distress. EMDR is the most effective and rapid method for healing PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) as shown by extensive scientific research studies.

 

EMDR therapy uses bilateral stimulation, right/left eye movement, or tactile stimulation, which repeatedly activates the opposite sides of the brain, releasing emotional experiences that are “trapped” in the nervous system. This assists the neurophysiological system, the basis of the mind/body connection, to free itself of blockages and reconnect itself. As troubling images and feelings are processed by the brain via the eye-movement patterns of EMDR, resolution of the issues and a more peaceful state are achieved.

 

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The therapist works gently with the client and asks him/her to revisit the traumatic moment or incident, recalling feelings surrounding the experience, as well as any negative thoughts, feelings and memories. The client tracks a light along a lightbar back and forth with their eyes as if watching ping pong. The more intensely the client focuses on the memory, the easier it becomes for the memory to come to life. As quick and vibrant images arise during the therapy session, they are processed by the eye movements, resulting in painful feelings being exchanged for more peaceful, loving and resolved feelings.

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EMDR forces processing past where it usually gets stuck so that it quickly can be adaptively connected to the rest of the brain. It is no more painful than what the client experiences on a daily basis, but once it is processed, it is no longer disturbing and never again becomes disturbing. In processing, the feelings, thoughts, and physical sensations that are trapped in the knotted neuron, are drained out of the nervous system. The adaptively connected neural web becomes adaptively connected and is then mediated by the rest of the brain. The little piece of you that is trapped in the knot is released and returns to you and you feel more whole than before EMDR.

 

WHAT ISSUES ARE HELPED BY EMDR?

Studies to date show a high degree of effectiveness with the following conditions:

  trauma

· witness to violence

· victims of violent crimes

· assault

· robbery

· rape

· sexual abuse

· physical abuse

· post traumatic stress

· injury

· illness

· depression

· panic attacks

· anxiety or panic

· fears

· brooding or worrying

· phobias

· overwhelming fears

· car accident

· work accident

· fire

· natural disaster

· childhood trauma

· childhood abuse

· loss of a loved one

· injury of a loved one

· relationship problems

· performance and test anxiety

· bad temper

· low self-esteem

· trouble sleeping

- nightmares/terrors

- brain won’t shut off

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WHAT SYMPTOMS CAN BY HELPED BY EMDR?

· High anxiety and lack of motivation

· Depression

· Chronic pain

· Memories of a traumatic experience

· Fear of being alone

· Unrealistic feelings of guilt and shame

· Fear of being alone

· Difficulty in trusting others

· Relationship problems

 

WHAT POPULATIONS CAN BENEFIT FROM EMDR?

Positive therapeutic results with EMDR have been reported with the following populations:

· People who have witnessed or been a victim to a disaster (rape, accidents, earth quakes, fires, murder, gang related violence)

· Clients suffering from PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder)

· Sufferers of panic disorders and anxiety attacks

· Sufferers of phobias

· Chemically dependent clients

· Persons exposed to excess loss (loss by death, divorce, loss of a house by fire)

· Crime victims and police officers who were once overcome with violent memories

· Accident or burn victims

 

Although a fairly new therapeutic technique, EMDR is meeting with much success all over the world. EMDR is a natural process. The client and the therapist become partners on a journey to help move traumatic and blocked energy. Together they work to transcend and free up the energy, so the client can return to their natural grounded state of being. The goal of this work is to help the client heal, so they can return to their life in peace.

 

HOW DO I KNOW IF EMDR IS RIGHT FOR ME?

There are a number of factors to consider when evaluating the appropriateness of EMDR therapy for a client’s particular situation and history. During your initial consultation, all the relevant factors will be discussed in full to help you both come to a decision about whether to move forward with EMDR. 

 

Watch the video below to learn a bit more about how EMDR works.

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