EMDR Therapy

What is EMDR Therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an internationally renowned and powerful psychological treatment that has been effectively used in a variety of different cultures, contexts and with different types of psychological distress for over 30 years. This psychotherapy (or talk-therapy) was originally designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories.

Research shows that EMDR can help reprocess upsetting memories or stressful events as well as related thoughts, sensation and emotions. EMDR therapy offers an efficient approach to address psychological and physiologic symptoms resulting from adverse life experiences across all ages (from young children to adults).

EMDR is a well-established evidence-based treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The World Health Organisation suggests EMDR and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) as advanced treatments for people suffering from PTSD. These techniques help people reduce vivid, unwanted and repeated recollections of traumatic events. However, unlike other trauma focused interventions, EMDR does not require detailed descriptions of the event, directly challenging personal beliefs, extended exposure to events, or complete homework.

EMDR therapy is recommended as an effective treatment for trauma victims by numerous organizations, including the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), American Psychiatric Association (APA), International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS), and the American Department of Defence.

During the Covid-19 Pandemic, many clinicians around the world have successfully used online EMDR and continue to do so.

What difficulties can EMDR treat?

EMDR has also been found to be effective across many other areas, including:

• Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias
• Chronic illness and medical issues
• Birthing injury
• Depression and bipolar disorders
• Dissociative disorders
• Eating disorders
• Grief and loss
• Pain
• Performance / sports anxiety
• Personality disorders
• Sexual assault
• Sleep disturbance
• Substance abuse and addiction

How does EMDR work?

Where can I find more information about EMDR?

More information about EMDR can be found at https://www.emdr.org.nz/what-i... and https://www.emdria.org/about-e...