Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a one-on-one form of psychotherapy that is designed to reduce trauma-related stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms associated with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and to improve overall mental health functioning. It allows individuals, post-trauma, to eliminate troubling thoughts and traumatic memories via neural and cognitive reprocessing. Repeated studies show that by using EMDR, people can experience the benefits of psychotherapy that once took years to accomplish.
EMDR combines elements from various therapeutic disciplines, including cognitive, experiential, and somatic therapies. However, EMDR is distinctly different from these other approaches in that it relies on bilateral stimulation to achieve results. In EMDR, a client is instructed to focus on their thoughts and sensations while they explore difficult emotional experiences or traumatic memories. At the same time, the therapist introduces bilateral stimulation, which activates reprocessing of the disturbing event. The client and therapist then examine what emotions or feelings were elicited as a result of the exercise, and they use that information to begin the next set of stimulation. Eventually, the client becomes desensitized to disturbing memories and is able to resolve past traumas.
EMDR combines elements from various therapeutic disciplines, including cognitive, experiential, and somatic therapies. However, EMDR is distinctly different from these other approaches in that it relies on bilateral stimulation to achieve results. In EMDR, a client is instructed to focus on their thoughts and sensations while they explore difficult emotional experiences or traumatic memories. At the same time, the therapist introduces bilateral stimulation, which activates reprocessing of the disturbing event. The client and therapist then examine what emotions or feelings were elicited as a result of the exercise, and they use that information to begin the next set of stimulation. Eventually, the client becomes desensitized to disturbing memories and is able to resolve past traumas.
