Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of trauma. EMDR is a set of standardized protocols that incorporates elements form many different treatment approaches.
It seems to have a direct effect on the wait the mind processes information. Following treatment for a traumatic memory, the mind resumes normal processing and you no longer re-live the images, sounds, and feelings of the event; you still remember what happened but it somehow seems less upsetting. What happens during EMDR seems to be like what occurs naturally when you are in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. EMDR, therefore, can be thought of as a physiologically based therapy that helps a person see disturbing material in a new and less disturbing way.
To date, EMDR therapy has helped millions of people of all ages relieve many types of psychological stress. It was developed in the 1980s by psychologist, Dr. Francine Shapiro. It is an evidence-based therapy approach which has now been proven through no less than 36 randomized controlled trials (plus 2 additional studies) to be effective in the treatment of psychological trauma. That is, it decreases and often completely eliminates the symptoms of PTSD! It has been designated as an effective treatment by the American Psychiatric Association, U.S. Deparemnt of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, the World Health Organization, and numerous other governmental health agencies around the world (including the UK, The Netherlands, Germany, & Israel). The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (of the US Department of Health and Human Services) cites EMDR as an evidence-based treatment of anxiety and depression, as well as appropriate for PTSD.
As research continues and multiple thousands of therapists are using EMDR all around the world, many are reporting evidence that it is effective in the treatment of:
Addictions (substance abuse and behavioral)
Panic attacks
Disturbing memories
Physical abuse
Sexual abuse
Stress
Eating disorders
Pain disorders
Information taken from “What is EMDR Therapy?”, Stephen Weathersbee- LMFT, Certified EMDR Therapist and Consultant, EMDRIA.
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