Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
When an individual experiences a traumatic event, they can often experience anxiety, depression, nightmares, flashbacks, feeling overwhelmed, stress, and anger. Sometimes the brain stores the memory, beliefs, and emotions related to the event in a dysfunctional manner. EMDR aims to resolve these events and allow for more functional adaptive memory networks to be created so individuals can enjoy everyday life.
When an individual experiences a traumatic event, they can often experience anxiety, depression, nightmares, flashbacks, feeling overwhelmed, stress, and anger. Sometimes the brain stores the memory, beliefs, and emotions related to the event in a dysfunctional manner. EMDR aims to resolve these events and allow for more functional adaptive memory networks to be created so individuals can enjoy everyday life.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a well-researched, effective psychotherapy approach for treating anxiety, depression, trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Unlike other therapies, EMDR does not rely on talk therapy or medications. Rather, EMDR uses back and forth eye movement, tappers, or sound to replicate bilateral stimulation (BLS). BLS creates a relaxing and calming effect by engaging the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the flight, fight, or freeze response. By relaxing the flight, fight, or freeze response, the brain is able to process and store the traumatic event appropriately in the brain. Thus, the memory no longer causes a disturbance in the individual's life. Time allocation for resolving symptoms using EMDR will vary depending on the individual and the complexity of the trauma.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a well-researched, effective psychotherapy approach for treating anxiety, depression, trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Unlike other therapies, EMDR does not rely on talk therapy or medications. Rather, EMDR uses back and forth eye movement, tappers, or sound to replicate bilateral stimulation (BLS). BLS creates a relaxing and calming effect by engaging the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the flight, fight, or freeze response. By relaxing the flight, fight, or freeze response, the brain is able to process and store the traumatic event appropriately in the brain. Thus, the memory no longer causes a disturbance in the individual's life. Time allocation for resolving symptoms using EMDR will vary depending on the individual and the complexity of the trauma.
Watch a video about EMDR:
Watch a video about EMDR:
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“Changing the memories that form the way we see ourselves also changes the way we view others. Therefore, our relationships, job performance, what we are willing to do or are able to resist, all move in a positive direction.”
“Changing the memories that form the way we see ourselves also changes the way we view others. Therefore, our relationships, job performance, what we are willing to do or are able to resist, all move in a positive direction.”
Francine Shapiro
Francine Shapiro
