What is EMDR therapy and how does it work?
What is EMDR? Well, EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing and it is a type of trauma therapy. It is an effective, evidence-based, therapeutic treatment approach and was developed by Francine Shapiro in 1987. When you participate in EMDR therapy, you and your therapist identify present, past, and potential future upsetting or distressing experiences that are linked to a belief or story that you hold about yourself.
EMDR utilizes the same process that your body uses when you sleep—rapid eye movements (REM).
EMDR utilizes the same process that your body uses when you sleep—rapid eye movements (REM), or bilateral stimulation when eye movements are not available—to assist the brain in reprocessing the upsetting targeted event(s). This process removes the thoughts, emotions, or body sensations paired with that event and assists your brain by putting a more compassionate and healthy belief, in its place.
Who can benefit from EMDR?
EMDR has been used with people, both in-person and online, who have experienced major events such as:
-
Chronic situations (i.e., relationship violence, childhood trauma)
-
Gun Violence
-
Natural disasters
-
Car accidents
-
Workplace issues
-
Grief and loss
EMDR therapy is considered a gold standard in treating post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
EMDR has also been shown to be effective in treating a variety of conditions for both children and adults. Some of these include:
-
Absent or emotionally unavailable parent
-
Anxiety
-
Childhood trauma (i.e., physical, sexual, or emotional abuse; neglect)
-
Chronic illness
-
Depression
-
Panic attacks
-
Phobias
-
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
-
Trauma in adulthood (i.e., car accidents, domestic violence, physical assault, sexual assault, military combat or experiences, medical trauma, betrayal trauma, first responder concerns)
