EMDR
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 from different treatment approaches.
EMDR therapy is an integrative psychotherapy and uses a technique called bilateral stimulation to repeatedly activate opposite sides of the brain. Bilateral stimulation mimics REM sleep, which is the portion of sleep considered to be the time when the mind processes the recent events in the person’s life. Bilateral stimulation is facilitated via eye movements, tactile and/or auditory stimulation. It seems to help the brain reprocess the trapped memories in such a way that normal information processing is resumed. EMDR helps clients uncover and process beliefs that developed as the result of difficult or distressing experiences.
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What Can It Help Me with?
EMDR had been originally established as helpful for PTSD, although it’s been proven useful for treatment in the following conditions:
Disturbing Memories
Pain Disorders
Performance Anxiety
Stress Reduction
Sexual and/or Physical Abuse
Self-Esteem & Self Image
EMDR can also help if you experience distressing emotions that appear to be excessive given the current situation. If you tend to be highly reactive to certain triggers or hold one or more unhelpful beliefs about yourself that on an intellectual level you know is not true, you may be a good candidate for EMDR therapy and it may help you release what no longer serves you.