What Is EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization And Reprocessing)?
EMDR is a form of psychotherapy that helps individuals to heal from symptoms and emotional distress that are a result of distressing life experiences. Studies have shown that individuals can gain the benefits of psychotherapy that once would have taken years. This form of psychotherapy has proven that the mind is able to heal from psychological trauma similar to how the body heals from physical trauma.
Learn moreHow Does EMDR Work?
For instance, when there is a cut on the hand, our body works to heal the wound. When foreign objects irritate the wound it causes pain. However once the foreign object is removed, healing resumes. EMDR proves that the mind/mental processes heals in a similar sequence. If the mental system results in an imbalance due to the impact of a disturbing event, the emotional wound festers and causes suffering. With the use of detailed protocols and procedures, EMDR therapy helps clients to resume their natural healing processes.
How Does EMDR Help?
In comparison to other forms of therapies that include altering emotions, thoughts, and responses that result from traumatic experience, EMDR largely focuses on the memory of the traumatic event and intends to change how the memory is stored. This ultimately reduces and eliminates problematic symptoms.
EMDR Techniques
The use of EMDR’s standardized procedures (use of eye movements, rhythmic left-right stimulation such as tones and taps) stimulates an accelerated learning process. This form of therapy involves eight phases that include:
- History taking
- Preparing the client
- Assessing the target memory
- Processing the memory to an adaptive resolution
- Evaluating treatment results.
Written by Thanujaa Manoharan