EMDR uses guided eye movements to help reprocess traumatic memories, reducing emotional distress and promoting healing and resilience.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprogramming)
Therapists use EMDR Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprogramming to effectively address emotional challenges, gaining widespread recognition for trauma treatment. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the World Health Organisation recognize EMDR as effective PTSD treatment.
Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk, author of The Body Keeps the Score, actively endorses and uses EMDR for trauma therapy. Trauma centers in the USA regularly use EMDR to treat PTSD, child abuse, and rape survivors. It has proven highly effective, even when conventional counselling or psychotherapy fails.
EMDR also helps with anxiety, depression, addictions, pain, and relationship issues. Many originate from past trauma like bullying, abuse, or criticism experienced in childhood or adulthood.
“The past affects the present even though we are not aware of it”
What happens in an EMDR treatment?
Sessions, you briefly recall a traumatic memory while using specific eye movements or tapping to process and integrate it. [This is not EFT]. It is Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprogramming (EMDR
EMDR directly impacts the nervous system by addressing stuck negative images, painful memories, or emotions. It integrates and processes them in present time.
People experience a change in perspective that arises from within. These transformative shifts feel genuine and deeply true at a gut level.
Who Can Benefit from EMDR?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): EMDR is a recognised treatment for PTSD, including combat trauma, abuse, or accidents.
Anxiety and Phobias: It helps address fears and anxiety disorders.
Depression: EMDR treats depression by addressing past experiences, often from childhood, that contribute to emotional struggles and current depressive symptoms.
Pain: Living with long-term pain often creates the belief that change is impossible. EMDR targets trauma linked to pain and rewires the brain’s perception, reducing emotional triggers and altering pain responses.
The Eight Phases of EMDR
- History and Treatment Planning: We discuss your issue and identify the key memory or trauma with the strongest impact.
- Preparation: I explain the process to you so that you know what we will be doing.
- Assessment: We explore the key memory or trauma that appears to be the root cause of your issue.
- Desensitisation: We use eye movements or tapping to help your brain process and integrate the memory or trauma effectively.
- Installation: We use either eye movements or a tapping protocol to rewire the brain with positive declarations.
- Body Scan: We check to see how your body feels.
- Closure and re-evaluation: We ensure the session ends smoothly and address any remaining areas requiring further attention.
Benefits of EMDR
Rapid and effective resolution of traumatic memories and images.
Reduction of anxiety and stress symptoms.
Enhanced self-awareness and emotional regulation.
Improved confidence and self esteem.
Recognition of mind-body relationship
Summary
EMDR offers transformation for many physical and emotional issues. It seems to work extremely quickly in getting to the root of our problems, both physical and emotional. Many people experience significant benefits from EMDR within a few sessions, compared to months spent in traditional talk therapies.