EMDR

EMDR is gaining popularity and has a proven track record of success based on clinical research trials over a long period.

The treatment mimics aspects of REM sleep which had now been highlighted as a being a vital process to processing memories of all kinds in the brain. It uses this natural function of the body, Rapid Eye Movement (REM), as its basis and was discovered and developed by Dr Francine Shapiro, the founder of EMDR, who found that just 3 90 minute sessions could alleviate symptoms of PTSD in more than 77% of the patients she treated.

The human mind uses REM during sleep time to help it process daily emotional experiences and when trauma is extreme, this process breaks down and REM sleep doesn’t bring the usual relief from distress. The EMDR process is thought to produce an advanced stage of the REM processing. As the brain, via the eye-movement, processes troubling images and feelings, resolution of the issue can be achieved by dampening the power of emotionally charged memories.

EMDR therapy is not limited to simply taking symptoms away. It addresses the past, present and future. The goal is to allow the person to achieve a complete state of emotional health. It has also been used to help athletes, performers and executives to achieve a state of “peak performance.”

It is important to note that prior to treatment beginning, there must be a strong rapport and relationship developed in the room between the psychotherapist and yourself in order to facilitate a ‘safe environment’ – somewhere your mind can drift to, if, during your treatment, you become distressed at recalling the event.

EMDR therapy is offered to clients following an initial assessment for suitability and a settling period of between 6 weeks and 3 months (depending on the presenting issues) of weekly 50min therapy. The treatment can be scheduled for 90min sessions weekly, or intense periods of processing up to 3 or 4 hours in one day followed by a period of rest to allow the processing to be fully worked through.

Please contact me for informal discussions around the uses and benefits of EMDR.