EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Developed in the 1980s by psychologist Francine Shapiro, EMDR is a form of treatment that is used to help people who have experienced trauma, such as abuse, natural disasters, and accidents. It is based on the idea that when a person experiences a traumatic event, the memory of that event becomes "frozen" in the brain and is not processed properly. This can lead to a variety of emotional and psychological symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

During an EMDR session, the therapist will guide the client through a series of eye movements or other bilateral stimulation (such as tapping or audio tones) while the client thinks about the traumatic event. The theory is that eye movements or other stimulation can jump-start the body’s natural methods and finally digest the memories properly. The therapist will also help the client to identify and change any negative beliefs that may have resulted from the traumatic event. The goal of EMDR is to help the client to process the traumatic event and move forward with their life, rather than being stuck in the past. It has been found to be effective for many people in reducing symptoms of trauma and improving overall well-being.

Key Tools of EMDR for Childhood Trauma

• Advanced Resourcing: Adding Bilateral Stimulation (BLS) to help strengthen positive feelings, sensations, and memories.

• Desensitization: Not only reduces the emotional charge of traumatic memories but disempowers negative core beliefs (e.g., “I am bad.”)

• Installation: Strengthens positive beliefs to replace negative ones.

• Crisis Support: Beneficial for clients in crisis who need help processing a recent traumatic memory.