What is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR Therapy)?
EMDR, founded by Francine Shapiro in 1987, helps people heal from trauma, disturbing life events, or chronic stress. It is a structured therapeutic technique using bilateral stimulation through eye movements, sound, or tapping to process stressful memories or events. This technique has been researched with PTSD, but is applicable to various situations.
Repeated studies show that by using EMDR therapy people can experience the benefits of psychotherapy that once took years to make a difference. It is widely assumed that severe emotional pain requires a long time to heal. EMDR therapy shows that the mind can in fact heal from psychological trauma much as the body recovers from physical trauma.
When you cut your hand, your body works to close the wound. If a foreign object or repeated injury irritates the wound, it festers and causes pain. Once the block is removed, healing resumes. EMDR therapy demonstrates that a similar sequence of events occurs with mental processes. The brain’s information processing system naturally moves toward mental health. If the system is blocked or imbalanced by the impact of a disturbing event, the emotional wound festers and can cause intense suffering. Once the block is removed, healing resumes. Using the detailed protocols and procedures learned in EMDR therapy training sessions, clinicians help clients activate their natural healing processes.
What does EMDR treat?
- Trauma/PTSD
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Anger
- Behavioral problems
- Academic struggles
- Career confusion
- Relationship issues/codependency
- Family discord/conflict
- Self-harming behaviors/suicidal ideation
- Disordered eating
- Low self-esteem
- Social anxiety
- Perfectionism/Obsessive compulsive disorder
- Negative thinking patterns/negative beliefs
- Poor boundaries
- Impulsivity
What are the typical results of EMDR treatment?
- Empowerment
- Increased self-confidence
- Decreased stress and anxiety
- Decreased depression
- Improved impulse control
- Absence of self-harming behaviors and suicidal thoughts
- Ability to problem-solve and make good decisions
- Increased coping skills to self-soothe and regulate emotions
- Improved communication skills
- Improved conflict resolution skills
- Ability to take responsibility for actions and see the natural consequences to actions (less victimization)
- Improved grades/school performance
- Increased work performance
- Strengthened relationships
- Increased mindfulness
- Improved stress management skills
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