Being a rather new kind of therapy for countering trauma and emotional distress, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) has become the recent target of much buzz. Its fashionable method involving eye movement guidance, either counselling-initiated or counselling-led discussions, has raised curiosity. Does it work? And is it everyone’s cup of tea? These are some of the questions that need to be examined.
An Overview of EMDR Therapy
Way back in the late ’80s, psychologist Francine Shapiro had a vision—what if eye movement could heal your mind? Guess what? It can. Her EMDR therapy employs guided eye movement to desensitise the emotional pain of traumatic memories. Who knew your eyes would be emotional painkillers? The treatment is based on the assumption that traumatic memory might get locked within the mind and be unable to form a functional processing channel through excessive experience.
With the recall of the traumatic memory, subsequent symptoms such as anxiety, flashbacks, or self-blame can follow. EMDR is intended to break down such memories by enabling patients to process them in a safe environment. The patient is guided through a set of back-and-forth eye movements by the therapist while narrating the traumatic incident. This is thought to allow the brain to release and process the distressing memory in vivid detail, letting go of its hold on the patient.
What sets EMDR from the likes of Laburnum Psychology apart is that it’s much more concerned with neural processing than with regular discussion therapy. It’s not necessarily about having a full discussion of the trauma, but rather about leading the brain in the direction of healing.
EMDR Effectiveness
EMDR has been placed on the scientific microscope, and its results are hard to brush under the carpet. This treatment has put its metal to the fire as a boxing heavyweight champion to treat PTSD. Even the big boys like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Psychological Association are giving it a standing ovation, calling for its ability to knock out symptomatology of trauma with empirical data to back up the call.
Concise clinical studies show that EMDR therapy can deliver awe-inspiring outcomes with speed. One study, for example, reports that many participants indicated significant positive transformation in a mere six sessions. As speedy as EMDR is, it’s the therapy express lane—perfect for individuals who won’t bother taking months (or decades) to unload their emotional luggage.
Initially created to address PTSD, EMDR has proven to be a one-trick pony no more. From anxiety disorders and phobias to depression, panic attacks, and even chronic pain, the therapy is confronting challenges like a superhero of the mind. No wonder it’s making waves.
Who Can Benefit from EMDR?
The wonder of EMDR therapy? It’s the Swiss Army knife of the field. Sure, it’s famous for healing PTSD, but veterans and trauma survivors aren’t the only ones who can use it. Stressed beyond your mind? Struggling with self-esteem? Tormented by a childhood traumatic memory? EMDR’s your safest option.
Above all, EMDR can treat people where they are. A person recovering from one traumatic incident like a car accident, for instance, may experience immediate results. But a person with complex trauma that spans several years of suffering may require longer, individual sessions.
With these benefits in mind, EMDR is not a magic pill. Some will even be uneasy recalling the traumatic memories during the session. And people with extreme disassociation or unstable mental health situations might require other therapies first before trying EMDR. Always look for an experienced practitioner to decide if EMDR will be effective in your case.
The Next Step in the Healing Journey
EMDR therapy is an incredible evidence-based treatment for healing trauma and emotional suffering. Its efficacy in symptom reduction of PTSD and its ability to be applied to the treatment of other mental illness disorders make it an attractive option for most. While it won’t be the best panacea for healing for all, individuals who have successful experiences generally indicate they have life-altering relief.
If you’re interested in how EMDR might fit into your own or a loved one’s situation, consider contacting a licensed mental health expert trained in this specific therapy. Recognising your needs is the initial step to pinpointing the healing approach that’s right for you.
