Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
EMDR is a psychotherapy technique designed to relieve the distress associated with disturbing memories. It involves recalling a specific troublesome experience while following a side-to-side visual stimulus delivered by the therapist. The resulting lateral eye movements are thought to help reduce the emotional charge of the memory so that the experience can be safely discussed, digested, and stripped of the power to trigger anxiety and avoidance.
when it is used
EMDR was initially developed as an individual treatment for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but it has since been applied in the treatment of many other conditions. For example, it is used by some therapists to treat anxiety disorders, including panic and phobias, depression, dissociative disorders, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and some personality disorders.
goals of treatment
Improve understanding of PTSD
Reduce distress about memories of the trauma
Decrease emotional numbing (i.e., difficulty feeling feelings) and avoidance of trauma reminders
Reduce feelings of being tense or “on edge"
Decrease depression, anxiety, guilt or shame
Improve day-to-day living
what to expect
Expect a course of treatment that consists of six to 12 sessions, typically delivered one or two times a week, although some people may need fewer sessions.
EMDR therapy is an eight-phase approach that identifies and processes memories of negative and traumatic events that contribute to present problems:
