Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing
How Was EMDR Developed?
In 1987 psychologist, Dr. Francine Shapiro made the chance observation that eye movements can reduce the intensity of disturbing thoughts under certain conditions. Dr. Shapiro studied this effect scientifically and in 1989 issue of the Journal of Traumatic Stress, she reported success using EMDR Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing to treat victims of trauma. Since then EMDR has developed and evolved all over the World.
How does EMDR actually work?
EMDR uses what we call bilateral stimulation of the senses replicating eye movements similar to what you do in REM sleep when you dream, to get the brain's thinking left hemisphere to talk intensely to its feeling right half. One moment becomes "frozen in time," and remembering a trauma may feel as terrible as going through in the first time because thoughts, images, sounds, smells, and feelings haven't changed. Such feelings have a negative effect that hinder with the way a person sees the world and relate to others.
EMDR seems to have a direct effect on the way the brain processes information. Normal information processing is resumed so following a successful EMDR session, a person no longer relieves the thoughts, images, sounds, smells, and feelings when the event is brought to mind. You still remember what happened, but it is less distressing. EMDR appears to be similar to what occurs naturally during dreaming or REM (rapid eye movement) sleep.
How long does EMDR take?
One or more sessions are required for me to understand the nature of the issue and whether EMDR is an appropriate treatment for you. I will also discuss EMDR more fully and provide an opportunity to answer questions. If you and I have agreed that EMDR is appropriate for a specific issue (s), then EMDR therapy may commence.
Sessions are usually 60 minutes or with your agreement, we might work for 90 minutes. These are carefully paced at a depth and speed, which is right for you. The type of issue (s), life circumstances, and the amount of previous trauma will determine how many treatment sessions are necessary. EMDR may be used within a "talking" therapy or as a treatment all by itself.ĘThat too is your choice.
What happens in the session?
After a careful assessment, I will ask specific questions concerning disturbing issues or events, what was seen, felt, heard, sounds, thoughts, and so on, and what thoughts and beliefs are currently held regarding the event. I will facilitate the directional movement of the eyes to stimulation of the brain, while you just notice whatever comes to mind without making any effort to control the direction or content. Each client will process information uniquely, based on personal experiences and values. Sets of eye movements are continued until the memory becomes less disturbing and is associated with positive thoughts and beliefs about one's self; for example, "I did the best I could." During EMDR, you may experience intense emotions, but with repeated sets of eye movements, the memory tends to change in such a way that it loses its painful intensity and simply becomes a neutral memory of an event in the past. By the end of the session, most people report a great reduction of the level of disturbance.
You will remain in control at all times, alert and awake. This is not a form of hypnosis and no trance is induced, no suggestions are made, the changes that occur are the result of your own innate processes and you can choose to stop the process at any time. My experience of using EMDR is that it can bring about deep, powerful, and rapid change. That can allow people to live more in the present.
What next
If you are interested to learn how EMDR treatment could assist you, please get in touch.
For more information on EMDR please visit The EMDR Association Uk and Ireland and EMDR.com
