What is EMDR?
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Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a unique and powerful type of psychotherapy designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories.
It stops painful memories causing so much distress by helping the brain to reprocess them properly.
Whilst EMDR is recognised by the NHS and World Health Organisation as a highly effective treatment for trauma, it has also proven successful with people with anxiety, phobias, addictions, OCD, psychosis, traumatic bereavement, and depression.
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How does it work?
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EMDR therapy has a specific structure, and I would walk you through this, step by step. This includes an assessment of your current symptoms, identification of the memories you want to work on and your readiness for EMDR. I would also make sure that you have the necessary resources before accessing any traumatic material. This might include teaching you some calming techniques to help manage overwhelming emotions during and after the sessions.
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We would then begin the process of accessing the traumatic memories, whilst stimulating both sides of your brain. Depending on whether we are working in person, online or upon your individual needs, we would do this either through rapid bilateral eye movements, listening to sounds or by tapping each side of your body.
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Once the memory has become less distressing, I would help you focus on positive beliefs about yourself, like "I am safe" or "I can handle this." I would then ask you to notice any physical sensations in your body related to the memory. If any tension or discomfort remains, I would guide you through.more bilateral stimulation to release it.
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At the end of each session, I would help you return to a calm and stable state, even if the memory had not been completely processed.
In future sessions, I would check in with you to see how the memory and associated feelings are doing, and whether any new memories or feelings had come up.
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It can take as few as six sessions to make a noticeable difference, for others with complex issues, it can require significantly more.
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How can I find out more?
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Watch this animated video
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For more information go to www.emdrassociation.org.uk or www.emdr-europe.org
