EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing.

 

EMDR is a powerful and effective psychological treatment method. This technique is mostly used in treating trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, EMDR is also effectively used for helping with a number of issues including: anxiety, phobias, complicated grief, addiction and chronic pain.  

 

It combines a number of psychotherapeutic influences including CBT, free association and mindfulness and can offer relief from distressing symptoms relatively quickly. 

 

When distressing or negative events are experienced, the brain can become overwhelmed and this may interfere with the ability to process information in the same way we might otherwise. Whilst we may be able to understand experiences, or the events that have happened on a cognitive or intellectual level, the memories can be held physiologically and feel stored on a deeper level or in the body. This results in the memory effectively becoming 'frozen' on a neurological level. This can cause heightened anxiety, depression, feeling on edge, jumpy, nervousness, hyperarousal, irritability, anger, tearfulness, intrusive thoughts, feeling 'triggered', flashbacks or other symptoms of trauma and PTSD.  

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EMDR works by using bilateral stimulation (eye movements) to support Adaptive Information Processing which basically allows the unprocessed information to process gently - greatly relieving the associated symptoms in just a few sessions. Unlike some other therapeutic approaches, with EMDR it is not necessary to talk through the details of the traumatic event or memory. This avoids any unnecessary distress or re-traumatising. The focus is on processing the memories gently and effectively in order to experience long-lasting relief.

 

EMDR is a three-pronged approach that involves the processing of:

 

• Past events, that have affected the foundation for dysfunction

• Present triggers

• Future templates to help cope with potentially difficult situations

 

Many people report EMDR as a relaxing and calming experience and enjoy the sense of relief from its effect. There is a substantial and growing body of clinical research to support the effectiveness of EMDR therapy in treating trauma, PTSD, Complex-PTSD, fears and phobias, grief, addictions, eating disorders and traits of Borderline Personality Disorder. It can be especially helpful for the treatment of the trauma and effects following Narcissistic Abuse. 

 

Dr. Sarah Davies is an EMDR therapist based in Marylebone Central London. She trained in EMDR Therapy with Alexander Richman in London - a 3 part advanced training, accredited and approved by the International and European EMDR Associations. She offers online EMDR therapy.