EMDR is a form of psychotherapy that empowers people to move beyond distressing life events by reprocessing negative thoughts or memories.
EMDR, developed by Francine Shapiro, Ph.D. in 1987, is recognized by the American Psychiatric Association and the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs as a scientifically proven effective treatment for war veterans and sexual assault victims. EMDR is also effective with reprocessing disturbing childhood memories that still affect people in their adult lives. More than 70,000 clinicians worldwide are using EMDR.
Here’s how EMDR works: the therapist asks the client to: 1) hold a visual picture that represents the worst aspects of a distressing memory, 2) be aware of the feelings and body sensations that accompany the visual picture, and 3) identify the negative self-statement that accompanies this memory. At the therapist’s direction, the client pairs all of the above with bilateral brain stimulation through directional eye movements or alternating tones played through headphones. This bilateral stimulation activates the brain’s innate processing ability by alternately stimulating each cerebral hemisphere, perhaps replicating REM movements in sleep patterns.
This process results in a client-directed “stream of consciousness” that can dramatically speed patient healing. EMDR helps clients move through their issues faster and more effectively than traditional therapy alone, and achieves a more thorough mind/body/spirit resolution.