What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing.
EMDR is a powerful psychological treatment that has been used effectively for over 30 years in a variety of international settings and cultures with many different types of psychological distress.
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What Can EMDR Treat?
Often, disturbing events happen in our lives that stay with us. The brain cannot process information as it ordinarily does. One moment can become ‘frozen in time’ and remembering the trauma may feel as bad as going through it for the first time. This is because the images, sounds, smells and feelings still seem to be there – they haven’t changed. Such memories have a lasting negative effect that interferes with the way a person sees the world and the way that they relate to other people.
EMDR has a positive effect on how the brain processes information. Following an EMDR session, the person no longer relives the trauma. They still recall that an incident happened, but it no longer feels upsetting.
Scientific research has established EMDR as effective for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Clinicians have also successfully used EMDR as a treatment component in the management of -
◯ Depression◯ Anxiety
◯ Panic attacks
◯ Personality disorders
◯ Complicated grief
◯ Dissociative disorders
◯ Pain disorders
◯ Body dysmorphic disorders
◯ Eating disorders
◯ Sexual or Physical abuse
◯ Performance anxiety
◯ Stress reduction
◯ Disturbing memories
◯ Phobias
What is an EMDR Session Like?
During EMDR, the therapist works with the client to identify a specific problem as a focus for the treatment session. The client then calls to mind the disturbing issue or event, what was seen, felt, heard, thought, etc. The therapist will then begin eye movements or other bilateral stimulation. These eye movements are used until the memory becomes less disturbing and is associated with a positive thought and belief about yourself.