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What is EMDR?
EMDR® is a new psychotherapy used to treat
troubling symptoms, such as anxiety, guilt, anger, depression, panic,
sleep disturbance, and flashbacks that are the result of traumatic
experiences. Traditional therapies have met with limited success in
treating victims of trauma. Not only has EMDR therapy been proven
effective in reducing the chronic symptoms which follow trauma, the
therapy benefits appear to be permanent. Since Dr. Shapiro's first
published research study in 1989, EMDR ® has developed and evolved
through the contributions of therapists and researchers all over the
world. It now incorporates elements from many different treatment
approaches. To date, it has helped an estimated half million people of
all ages receive relief from many different kinds of psychological
distress.
What does EMDR stand
for?
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Eye Movement.
Much has been learned about this therapy since
the day it was named for eye movements. Now it appears that the
beneficial effects are facilitated by an alternating stimulation of
the right and left hemispheres of the brain. Eye movements
accomplish this, as do bilateral alternating taps or tones.
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Desensitization
refers to the removal of the emotional
disturbance associated with a traumatic memory.
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Reprocessing
refers to the replacement of the unhealthy,
negative beliefs associated with traumatic memories, with more
healthy, positive beliefs.
What
Experts Say...
"With the development of EMDR, Francine
Shapiro has made a profound contribution to our knowledge of illness and
healing." David A. Console, MD, Director
of the Trauma Recovery Program, Menninger Clinic
"EMDR provides a proven approach
to address the trauma that can interfere with healthy grief and mourning
following the loss of a loved one." -Therese A. Rando, PhD,
Founder & Exec. Director, Institute for the Study of Treatment of
Loss
"EMDR is proving to be the
silicon chip of psychotherapy; it allows people to process incredible
amounts of material in a shockingly short time." - Michael
Elkin, Director, Centre for Collaborative Solutions
"EMDR is the most revolutionary,
important method to emerge in psychotherapy in decades."
- Herbert Fensterheim, PhD, Cornell Univ.
"Dr. Shapiro applies EMDR to a
wide range of disorders and problems and shows how individuals can gain
mastery of previously overwhelming experiences, phobia, anxiety, and
bereavement."
- Denise Gelinas, PhD, Harvard University
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When is
EMDR® appropriate?
There are two types of trauma,
big "T" trauma and little "t" trauma. Big
"T" traumas are the major horrific events, like combat, rape,
or the loss of a child. Little "t" traumas are the smaller
everyday chronic horrors, like daily negative childhood messages leading
a girl to grow up believing she will never be good enough. EMDR ® can
help heal both types of trauma. EMDR therapy can be a very intense
emotional experience, temporarily. It is not appropriate for those who
are unwilling or unable to tolerate highly disturbing emotions. An EMDR
® therapist must take a thorough history to determine if and how EMDR
® can be used as part of an overall treatment plan. EMDR ® has been
successfully used to treat many problems. Some
of them include:
PTSD
Complicated grief
Anxiety
Sexual abuse
Depression
Panic attacks
Phobias
Dissociative disorders
Addictions
Performance anxiety
How
long does EMDR® therapy take?
This depends on several factors including
the nature of the problem being treated, the client’s history, and the
client’s ability to tolerate high levels of disturbance. In some
cases, one EMDR ® treatment session is enough. Usually it takes weeks
to months, but sometimes years of treatment are required. When EMDR
therapy is used appropriately, it can significantly shorten the overall
length of time in therapy
What
Patients Say...
"My scepticism disappeared and
disturbance level was dramatically reduced after 4 sessions, when I was
able to forgive the perpetrator of my accident and let
go." Jean F, Car accident client with
PTSD
"The treatment made me look deep,
very deep, into my own existence. I’m more attentive to my feelings.
Now I treasure each and every moment of my life." - Richard
Webster, Mine fire victim, Quoted in Family Therapy Networker
"Now, when I talk about what
happened to me, it’s definitely reality, but the fear’s not there
anymore.... It’s astounding. I’ve been given a portion of my life
back." - Emily G., Victim of abduction and rape, Quoted in
American Health
"Within two or three of four
sessions, we had resolved issues that I’d been discussing for four or
five years with other people." - Eric Smith, Vietnam veteran
suffering from PTSD, Quoted on 20/20, ABC News
(With thanks and acknowledgement to Shirley Jean Schmidt
- Certified EMDR therapist) Please visit her web site as below: www.shirleyjeanschmidt.com |
