EMDR

What is EMDR?

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EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an innovative psychotherapy method for psychological trauma developed in the 1980s by psychologist and scientific researcher Francine Shapiro. It is a comprehensive psychotherapy method that combines many successful elements from various effective therapeutic approaches such as psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioral, and person-centered, combined with bilateral sensory stimuli (visual, tactile, and auditory) that enhance associative processes, accelerate processing, and adaptation.

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How does it work?

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Remarkably, it is guided by the model of Adaptive Information Processing, which is based on the principle of self-healing. This means that just as the body tends to heal a wound, also our mind can restore cognitive and emotional balance after a traumatic
experience. A traumatic event blocks the normal processing of the mind and is stored in a dysfunctional manner, allowing the development of distressing symptoms. The reprocessing of traumatic experiences through the therapeutic intervention of EMDR
contributes to the natural restoration of our cognitive and emotional balance.

 

How is it applied?

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It is a structured therapeutic process, which consists of 8 basic phases. During the processing phases, the therapist guides the individual to simultaneously focus their attention internally, recalling stressful or traumatic memories, and externally,
following bilateral sensory stimuli. For example, the client may follow the hand movements of the therapist, moving their eyes laterally from side to side. Through EMDR therapy, the client re-approaches the traumatic experiences that have blocked
the normal processing of the mind and cause negative thoughts, distressing emotions, and physical symptoms. This reprocessing allows for a functional assimilation of all information related to the traumatic experience. In this way, reduction of related painful emotions, alleviation of physical symptoms, replacement of dysfunctional beliefs with positive ones, as well as establishment of positive behavioral patterns, can be achieved.

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Where does it help?

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EMDR has been recognized by various organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Psychological Association (APA) as one of the most effective therapies for treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Moreover, it is successfully applied in phobias, panic attacks, anxiety disorders, depression, as well as in cases of chronic pain or serious illnesses to address their psychological impacts

 

More information:

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