What is EMDR Therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and other distressing life experiences, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and panic disorders.

How is EMDR therapy different from other therapies?

EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue or completing homework between sessions. EMDR therapy, rather than focusing on changing the emotions, thoughts, or behaviors resulting from the distressing issue, allows the brain to resume its natural healing process. EMDR therapy is designed to resolve unprocessed traumatic memories in the brain. For many clients, EMDR therapy can be completed in fewer sessions than other psychotherapies.

Who can benefit from EMDR therapy?

EMDR therapy helps children and adults of all ages. Therapists use EMDR therapy to address a wide range of challenges:

Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias, Chronic Illness and medical issues, Depression and bipolar disorders, Dissociative disorders, Eating disorders, Grief and loss, Pain, Performance anxiety, Personality disorders, PTSD and other trauma and stress-related issues, Sexual assault, Sleep disturbance, Substance abuse and addiction, Violence and abuse

We all have unprocessed memories that get triggered when we feel anxious, fearful, sad, or angry and don’t know why. Even those of us with the best of childhoods still have experienced events such as being teased by one’s peers or let down by a loved one which may be inappropriately coloring perceptions and actions in the present. EMDR therapy can be effective in treating the “everyday” memories that underline upsetting beliefs and behavior patterns that are the reason people seek therapy.

Resource:

EMDR International Association