EMDR Therapy :: A Brief Explanation
EMDR Therapy or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a highly-successful and powerful healing technique that very effectively helps people who suffer from anxiety, panic, chronic sadness, negative self-concepts, trauma, disturbing memories and thoughts, PTSD or post traumatic stress and many other emotional problems. Until recently, psychotherapists and psychologists have used some combination of talk therapy and CBT in their efforts to help people overcome distress and suffering. While nothing beats the support of another human who is able to listen and be present during suffering, many of these traditional techniques do not resolve client symptoms or support healing at the level of the nervous system in the way that EMDR does. EMDR is considered a breakthrough therapy because of its ability to bring quick and lasting relief for most types of emotional distress.
EMDR therapy uses bilateral stimulation, right/left eye movement, or tactile stimulation which activates opposite sides of the brain. As troubling images, feelings and self-concepts are processed by the brain using bilateral eye-movement patterns, resolution of the issues and a more peaceful state are achieved. Memories or feeling-states are not removed, but rather the distressing impact is decreased so that clients are able to move forward with their lives and enjoy a dramatic reduction of symptoms. This technique draws on the theory that emotional experiences are "trapped" in the nervous system. As emotional experiences are released, the neurophysiological system or mind and body connection is able to heal and reconnect. Extensive scientific research studies have demonstrated that EMDR is an effective and rapid method for processing disturbing memories and healing PTSD and other psychological symptoms. In 2010, SAMHSA, a National Registry of Evidence-based practices (NREPP) endorsed EMDR as has the American Psychiatric Association in the treatment of Acute Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.