EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION & REPROCESSING (EMDR)
What is EMDR? EMDR is a method of therapy that is highly effective at providing relief to people suffering from a variety of emotional problems. It is a proven technique for working with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, self-limiting beliefs and hard to break patterns of behavior.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) which is a method that produces high speed information processing. Initially EMDR was used in the treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD). Over the years as refinements were made in the protocol, its application has expanded into the treatment of past physical and sexual abuse, anxiety disorders, depression, and many other emotional and behavioral disorders.
EMDR’s approach is based on the idea that our brains and nervous systems have ways of remembering and handling experiences that are both physical and mental. In other words, some parts of a memory are the physical images, sounds, and feelings stored in our brains and nervous systems, and along with those physical parts, the memories also include the thoughts and emotions connected with them, both what we felt and thought when the experience occurred and what we think and feel about it presently. The eye movements used in EMDR appear to unlock the nervous system which allows the brain to re-integrate positive information. The procedure includes reprocessing of negative, distorted self-thoughts associated with the trauma to positive, true self-beliefs.
EMDR has been successfully used with a variety of physical and emotional blocks including:
• Performance anxiety
• Stress
• Panic and anxiety disorders
• Procrastination
• Phobias
• Issues with food and weight
• Relationship issues
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Depression and many other issues
EMDR is not Hypnosis. It is not Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), another therapy that combines physical, mental and emotional techniques. EMDR is not a solution for all issues or all individuals, nor is it a simple technique to be used without careful preparation and follow-up.
Individuals should feel free to ask questions in order to help in deciding whether or not this treatment is for you. EMDR is a powerful and effective therapy method that has been very helpful to many individuals.
EMDR therapy utilizes various forms of bilateral stimulation (BLS) such as eye movement, hand held electric tappers, and visual + auditory stimulation.
Effectiveness
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has been declared an effective form of trauma treatment by a wide range of organizations:
American Psychiatric Association
American Psychological Association
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
U.K. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense
The Cochran Database of Systematic Reviews
The World Health Organization