EMDR Therapy
(Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy)
What is EMDR?
EMDR is an eight-phase psychotherapy approach developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1989 to address trauma in adults. EMDR utilizes eye movements, sound or pulsations to stimulate both hemispheres of the brain. (This process is called “bi-lateral” stimulation.) Focusing on a distressful (or positive) experience along with bi-lateral stimulation, brings about changes in the brain that, when completed, brings a person more into a state of balance. Learn more at www.emdrtherapistnetwork.com
Here is another good handout which answers common questions about EMDR.
http://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/docs/EMDR.pdf
Here is another good handout which answers common questions about EMDR.
http://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/docs/EMDR.pdf
How Does EMDR work?
In EMDR, clients reconnect to past, stored memories that have some anxiety or trauma attached to them. When someone experiences something traumatic, it can be 'coded' incorrectly and stored in our brain with the original emotions, sensations, cognitions and feelings. When that memory is activated, the experiences of the original trauma are triggered. EMDR allows clients to connect to their original memory for a brief period of time. This allows it to feel safer and less threatening compared to other therapies. For example, exposure therapy has someone re-visit the original experience, by sharing all the details over and over, until they are desensitized to the event. EMDR has a client connect to the memory, along with bilateral stimulation (explained above). The client is able to reprocess the trauma which decreases or neutralizes the distressing memory and stores it as an adaptive memory. A client then pairs a positive cognition to past memory, while doing bilateral stimulation, which strengthens one's positive natural resourcing. A client still has access to the memory but the feeling attached to the memory may change. People often report the details or intensity of the memory change or decrease after processing.
To briefly summarize, during a trauma, the experience can be too overwhelming and the information-processing system gets blocked. It's as if the brain gets 'short circuited' and the memory gets stored incorrectly. EMDR helps reprocess or re-code a negative or traumatic memory into a neutral or adaptive memory, while enhancing one's own natural healing capabilities. The bad memory doesn't necessarily turn good. However, after reprocessing is complete, the story or feeling attached to the memory can change. We can talk about past or current memories without feeling it. As one client put it, "I react much differently to things that use to bother or upset me. I feel more empowered, understanding and free. The memory doesn't live inside me any more. It feels like it is in the past and I am far from it".
To briefly summarize, during a trauma, the experience can be too overwhelming and the information-processing system gets blocked. It's as if the brain gets 'short circuited' and the memory gets stored incorrectly. EMDR helps reprocess or re-code a negative or traumatic memory into a neutral or adaptive memory, while enhancing one's own natural healing capabilities. The bad memory doesn't necessarily turn good. However, after reprocessing is complete, the story or feeling attached to the memory can change. We can talk about past or current memories without feeling it. As one client put it, "I react much differently to things that use to bother or upset me. I feel more empowered, understanding and free. The memory doesn't live inside me any more. It feels like it is in the past and I am far from it".
Who Benefits from EMDR?
EMDR is an effective therapeutic intervention for children, adolescents, and adults dealing with anxiety, trauma, depression, OCD, and phobias. It can also be used with other life stressors such as: grief/loss, infertility, pain management, career changes/advancements, cancer and other medical illnesses/traumas. Learn more about EMDR and some of these life stressors below.
EMDR Resources
PSA :EMDR Therapy.
Cancer and E.M.D.R: Expert Answers on E.M.D.R. with Dr. Shapiro
Anxiety and E.M.D.R: Expert Answers on E.M.D.R with Dr. Shapiro
Pain and E.M.D.R: Expert Answers on E.M.D.R. with Dr. Shapiro
Grief and E.M.D.R: Expert Answers on E.M.D.R. with Dr. Shapiro
Peak Performance and E.M.D.R: Expert Answers on E.M.D.R with Dr. Shapiro
How EMDR Opens a Window to the Brain by Francine Shapiro PhD.
Treating Trauma: Why EMDR Might Be Right For You by Anastasia Pollock LCMHC
FAQ about EMDR
E.M.D.R Institute, Inc.
E.M.D.R. International Association
________________________________________________________________________________________
EMDR Video Testimonial (here)
Written Testimonial (here) *There is a good link at the bottom of this article on 'How EMDR works'.
________________________________________________________
Bessel van der Kolk: Feeling through Trauma
________________________________________________________
EMDR: How it Works- Click on the description below to watch video.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Healing Trauma, Healing Humanity: Rolf Carriere at TEDxGroningen
|
Here is a short video on EMDR and Trauma
|
|