EMDR THERAPY
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured therapeutic approach that has been proven to be highly effective in assisting individuals in overcoming issues stemming from traumatic experiences. By facilitating the brain's reprocessing of distressing memories, this therapy diminishes the emotional impact of past events, thereby fostering healing and resolution that would otherwise take much longer.
Endorsed by reputable organisations like the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), and the World Health Organisation (WHO), EMDR therapy boasts international recognition for its efficacy.
How can EMDR help?
Best known for its treatment with PTSD, it has also been shown to be effective in addressing a wide range of mental health issues. Some of the key areas where EMDR therapy can be beneficial include: trauma; assault; accidents; natural disasters; war experiences; medical trauma; grief; divorce; phobias; OCD; depression; insomnia; anger management; eating disorders; self-harm tendencies; suicidal ideation; addictions; emotional distress; unexplained physical symptoms, and chronic pain conditions.
In cases where traditional therapeutic approaches may not have yielded the desired results, EMDR therapy presents itself as a valuable and potentially transformative option worth considering.
What happens during an EMDR session?
Initial sessions in EMDR therapy involve both an assessment, and working together to establish treatment goals. Time is also spent developing positive resources to enable the client to feel safe during the process. Subsequent sessions focus on reprocessing traumatic experiences through the use of various sensory images, which may include visual, auditory, olfactory, or tactile memories.
While focusing on the target issue, the therapist uses bilateral stimulation, usually involving the client following a side-to-side eye movement pattern. In addition, therapists may also use other methods such as tapping the back of the client’s hands or bilateral sounds through headphones.
Through this process, the client may experience various thoughts, emotions, or sensations. The therapist guides the client through these experiences, helping them process the memories associated with the issue, until it becomes less distressing. Clients may experience a reduction in the intensity of traumatic memories, decreased emotional reactivity, and an overall improvement in their sense of well-being.