Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy approach that was developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. It is primarily used to treat individuals who have experienced trauma, especially those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
About EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing Therapy. It is a form of trauma therapy that uses eye movements, sounds, or tapping to work through whatever is disturbing your peace (Shapiro, 2002). When we get a physical wound, our bodies naturally heal. Our minds can do this too, but when an event is too intense this self-healing process sometimes gets blocked. EMDR therapy seems to unblock or kick start our natural mental and emotional healing ability, letting us resolve the past and become everything we are capable of being (Shapiro, 2002). EMDR therapy has been proven to help heal post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and it has been used to help people rise above many different types of conflicts or trauma.
How effective and efficient is EMDR compared to other forms of therapy?
The effect of EMDR puts forward the view that the eye movements involved in EMDR therapy interfere with working memory (working memory is also sometimes referred to as short-term memory) in such a way that effects of trauma are alleviated by the reduction of the vividness and emotionality of traumatic memories.
Research on EMDR
Marcus et al (2004) undertook a study of two groups. The first group had suffered a single traumatic event, whilst those in the second group had suffered multiple trauma. After six, 50-minute sessions of EMDR therapy, 100% of the first group and 77% of the second group no longer had PTSD.
Wilson et al |(1997) ran a research study which found that 84% of those who had developed PTSD as the result of a single trauma went into remission after receiving three, 90-minute EMDR therapy sessions.
If you’re unsure of how EMDR or Hypnotherapy can help you or what to find out more then please contact me: contact@thechoicetochange.co.uk