EMDR AND HOW IT WORKS
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a form of therapy that helps people heal from trauma or other distressing life experiences. EMDR therapy has been extensively researched and has demonstrated effectiveness for trauma.
Our brains have a natural way to recover from traumatic memories and events. While many times traumatic experiences can be managed and resolved spontaneously, other times they may need help in order to be processed. When distress from a disturbing event remains, it can cause upsetting images, thoughts, and emotions in response to triggers from the event. EMDR therapy helps the brain process these memories, and allows normal healing to resume. The experience is still remembered, but the trauma or emotion response from the original event is resolved.
EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue, or homework between sessions. EMDR utilizes the brain's natural healing process to overcome overwhelming memories. EMDR therapy is designed to resolve unprocessed traumatic memories in the brain. Part of the therapy includes alternating eye movements, sounds, or taps. For many clients, EMDR therapy can be completed in fewer sessions than other psychotherapies.
What kind of problems can EMDR treat?
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Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias
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Stress
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Depression
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Dissociative disorders
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Grief and loss
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Pain disorders
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Performance anxiety
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PTSD and other trauma
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Sexual assault
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Sleep disturbance
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Substance abuse and addiction
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Painful Memories
EMDR for PTSD - National Center for PTSD with MUSA Productions - Whiteboard Animation
