Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
EMDR is an information processing technique used to diminish distress caused by exposure to traumatic events. It has been accepted by the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association and the Veteran’s Administration as an effective and recommended treatment for trauma. It is one of the most well researched therapies available for helping individuals who have experienced traumatic events.
EMDR is an information processing technique used to diminish distress caused by exposure to traumatic events. It has been accepted by the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association and the Veteran’s Administration as an effective and recommended treatment for trauma. It is one of the most well researched therapies available for helping individuals who have experienced traumatic events.
Symptoms such as overwhelming emotion, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, anxiety and the physiological symptoms of fear are reduced or eliminated by this treatment. It helps an individual understand and gain control over the ways in which past traumatic experiences impact everyday functioning. This technique is a structured protocol of interventions used by an EMDR specialist who has received intensive training in the use of the technique.
Course of Treatment Due to its effectiveness in the treatment of trauma, many clinicians who treat individuals with PTSD and other trauma-related conditions practice this technique. Those trauma specialists who do not are commonly familiar with EMDR and are supportive of its use. Referrals may be done in order to supplement ongoing therapy or, in some instances, may become the primary treatment used to address trauma reactions.
EMDR treatment occurs in a series of sessions that progress through distinct phases facilitated by the therapist.
Results Trauma symptoms are manifestations of distress. They may be physical, psychological, emotional, mental and behavioral. Underlying trauma-based beliefs about self, others, situations and events cause symptoms to continue even when traumatic events have passed. EMDR targets these underlying negative beliefs and helps replace them with more appropriate and positive ones.
In the case of past trauma, for example, the once accurate belief that one is in danger could be replaced with the appropriate and positive belief that one is safe. EMDR sessions help clients identify beliefs that support their distress and practice replacing them so that distress is diminished. Additionally, client will have learned ways to self-soothe and calm themselves when experiencing trauma symptoms.
“After many years of suffering with a needle phobia, with EMDR, I was able to give blood again, without fainting.” M.H. Jupiter