Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR therapy focuses directly on the memory of traumatic experience and works to change the memory and how it is stored. The goal of this is to reduce how the memory is reactivated in the present, triggering negative symptoms and emotions.
EMDR therapy is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy proven to help people. It was discovered by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the 1980s when she was walking in the park and realised her eye movements appeared to decrease the negative emotions she had been feeling while thinking about a past trauma. By combining eye movement with cognitive therapy, EMDR was devised to help those with PTSD and it is also beneficial for those with other disorders such as dissociation, depression and anxiety.
Eye movements
How it works
EMDR encourages the patient to briefly focus on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements). It will suit those who may have difficulty discussing their trauma as there is space for it to be conducted with a more silent approach. Research studies on EMDR have found that 84-90% of trauma patients no longer have PTSD symptoms after only three sessions
How it works
EMDR encourages the patient to briefly focus on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements). It will suit those who may have difficulty discussing their trauma as there is space for it to be conducted with a more silent approach. Research studies on EMDR have found that 84-90% of trauma patients no longer have PTSD symptoms after only three sessions