EMDR is a specific process that was developed by Francine Shapiro in the 1980’s. She
noticed that making particular eye movements, whilst thinking about troubling matters
for which she could find no resolution, helped her.
It is believed that when we experience traumatic events, these events may not be processed
by the brain to create a long-term memory. Instead the memory may become stuck in a different part of the brain and be experienced by us as having happened very recently.
- We may feel that the danger that was present at the time of the event is current even though it may have happened many years ago.
- We may experience flashbacks to the event/s, nightmares, anxiety and/or panic attacks.
- We may have tried therapy which didn’t work, or hasn’t after a long time.
- We may have trouble in falling or staying asleep.
- We may feel extremely alert all the time.
- We may feel very angry and not be sure why.
All of these are symptoms of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).
EMDR, though use of specific eye movements, tapping on both sides of the body or using sound on each side of the head (bi-lateral stimulation), accesses the normal processing ability of the brain and the troubling memory may then be shifted into long term memory and the feelings associated with it diminish.
Before I begin working with the bi-lateral stimulation, I believe we need to create a good relationship, which may take only one or two sessions or in some situations, longer. I also need to teach you a way of reducing emotional pain in the short term as the processing may continue between sessions, and introduce you to the eye movements and tapping (I don’t use finger clicking as I can’t click my fingers very well!). Then we will work on the issues that trouble you from the past, how they effect your current life and, with regard to them, how you would like your future to be.
There has been a lot of research done on EMDR and it’s uses and usefulness. You can find a lot of information on the web (some links are available on my Links page to help you to start) and there are many books available. In the UK, NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) recommends EMDR for use in cases of PTSD. EMDR has also been used successfully with a range of difficulties such as eating disorders, sexual assaults, rape, some emotional distress and more.