WHAT IS EMDR Therapy?
EMDR Stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a therapeutic approach which helps to heal those who have suffered from substantially traumatic experiences in their life. EMDR is widely known as PTSD rapid eye movement therapy; more so, EMDR can treat more than PTSD.
WHO CAN EMDR HELP?
This treatment can help with a variety of symptoms or diagnosis. There has been substantial research that proves it is very effective for Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD).
It can also be effective in alleviating:
- High anxiety
- Memories and flashbacks of a traumatic experience
- Unrealistic feelings of guilt and shame
- Difficulty in trusting others
- Relationship issues
According to the EMDR Institute, more than 30 controlled outcome studies on EMDR therapy have shown that it has positive effects. In some of these studies, as many as 90% of trauma survivors appeared to have no PTSD symptoms after just three sessions (7 July, 2019).
There are eight phases to EMDR therapy:
- Initial history discovery: Collection of medical/personal history
- Treatment planning: a process in which the therapist tailors, to the greatest extent possible, the application of available treatment resources to each client’s individual goals and needs
- Preparation: The therapist and client make a therapeutic relationship
- Assessment: The clinician identifies the components of the target
- Desensitization: It focuses on the client’s negative affect as reflected in the SUDs rating
- Installation: The focus is on “installing” and increasing the strength of the positive cognition that the client has identified to replace the original negative cognition
- Body scan: After the positive cognition has been fully installed, the client is asked to hold the target event in mind, and identify any residual tension, in the form of body sensations
- Closure: The client must be returned to a state of equilibrium at the end of each session, regardless of whether reprocessing is complete
- Reevaluation: Includes the additional targeting, reassessing, and reviewing necessary to ensure optimal treatment effects
HOW DOES EMDR TREATMENT HELP WITH THE HEALING PROCESS?
EMDR therapy heals trauma, while teaching you skills on how to handle emotional distress in real life. It helps to release the grasp trauma has on your body and mind, while simultaneously relieving your symptoms. All together, this helps to regain your life and further you in your healing process.