EMDR

EMDR is a powerful evidence based effective psychotherapy technique that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of trauma and other distressing life experiences. EMDR was developed in the 1980’s by American Clinical Psychologist Dr Francine Shapiro, initially for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Since then, EMDR has been accepted as an effective form of treatment by several major health organizations including the World Health Organization (2013), the American Psychiatric Association (2004), and the U.S. Department of Defence (2017).
 

In general, the mind tends to process daily emotional experiences and heals itself naturally during sleep, particularly during the period of sleep when we experience REM (Rapid Eye Movement). However, when a person experiences a traumatic experience or event this natural healing process may not always take place.
 

Some events such as war, natural disaster, road traffic accidents, so overwhelming that the memories are not stored properly; they remain unprocessed, blocked, or imbalanced and are not filed away. Consequently, they are easily accessible, and things can trigger the traumatic memory or event, causing it to replay. This means that the person keeps reliving the distress that they experienced.

EMDR helps create the connections between the brain's memory networks in a similar way to what take place during REM sleep.  EMDR can help you to process distressing memories and reduce the impact that they have upon you, your day to day thinking and daily life in general. The memories will still be there, but they will be in the past, as opposed to constantly within your present life, which would help enable you to get on with your life in a more positive way.

Unlike counselling, EMDR is a non-talking therapy that uses eye movements and other forms of bi -lateral stimulation of the brain. I have used EMDR to help people who have experienced Trauma and PTSD.  EMDR is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) as being an effective treatment for PTSD.  I also use EMDR with people who experience depression, low self-esteem, chronic pain, anxiety disorders such as phobias, social anxiety, complicated grief and many other issues.  

EMDR therapy focuses directly upon the specific memory to change the way it is stored within the brain. EMDR therapy resolves unprocessed past traumatic memories in the brain and can

help enable you to live more fully in the present. However, it is not appropriate for everyone.

EMDR could potentially help you heal emotionally and live a healthier, more fulfilling, and enriched life. Book an appointment today to explore your symptoms and talk about whether EMDR is the right option for you.