EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

 

What is EMDR?


EMDR – Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a psychological method for treating experientially based disorders and emotional difficulties that are caused by disturbing life experiences. These range from traumatic events such as combat stress, assaults, natural disasters, auto and plane accidents, and rape to upsetting childhood events. EMDR is a multifaceted method that brings together elements from well established clinical orientations including psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioral and client centered.

Is there Research Supporting EMDR?


EMDR is one of the most researched psychotherapeutic treatments for PTSD.  Since 1989 approximately 20 controlled studies have been conducted.  Statistical analyses indicate that EMDR is one of the most efficient treatments for PTSD and that it is more efficient than other trauma treatments.

EMDR is now accepted by many organizations and agencies for the treatment of trauma. These include: American Psychiatric Association., U.S. Dept of Veteran Affairs, Department of Defense, International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, American Psychological Association., United Kingdom Dept of Health, Israeli National Council for Mental Health and others.

What Happens in EMDR Treatment?


The clinician works with the client to identify the specific problem that will be the focus of treatment and helps the client select important aspects that are upsetting. While the client is engaged with eye movements (by following moving lights on a light bar) or listening to alternating sounds on a headset, he or she is experiencing aspects of the initial memory or other memories.

The experiences could be emotions, physical sensations, ideas, beliefs and other aspects of the memory.  The clinician pauses at regular intervals to check in on what the client is experiencing and to insure he or she is processing adequately, and facilitates the process by making clinical decisions about the direction of the process.  The goal is the client’s rapid processing of the negative experience, bringing it to an “adaptive resolution.”  This means a reduction in troubling symptoms, a shift from negative to more positive beliefs about the self and the possibility of functioning more optimally.  Treatment may last from 1-4 sessions for a single trauma to 1 year or longer for more complex problems.

What Kind of Problems Can EMDR Treat?


  • PTSD
  • Personality disorder
  • Panic attacks
  • Grief
  • Disturbing memories
  • Phobias
  • Pain disorders
  • Eating disorders
  • Rape
  • Relationship infidelity
  • Performance anxiety
  • Stress reduction
  • Addictions
  • Abuse, sexual, physical emotional
  • Body dimorphic disorders
  • Surgery trauma
  • Auto and plane accidents
  • Abandonment and neglect