EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a powerful psychotherapy approach that has been proven very effective in working with trauma. The approach itself seems to have direct effect on the way that brain processes information. More specifically, when a person is very upset their brain is unable to process information as it does ordinarily. One moment becomes “frozen in time”, and remembering a trauma may feel as bad as going through it the first time because the images, sounds, smells, and feelings have not changed. Such memories have a lasting negative effect that interferes with the way person sees the world and the way they relate to other people.

EMDR seems to have direct effect on the way that the brain processes information. Following an EMDR session, normal information processing is resumed, meaning that the person no longer relives the images, sounds, and feelings when the event is brought to mind. While person still remembers what happened, EMDR helps the person feel less upset by it. Many types of therapy have similar goals to aforementioned outcome. However, EMDR appears to be similar to what occurs naturally during dreaming or REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Therefore, EMDR can be thought as a physiologically based therapy that helps person to see disturbing material in a new and less distrubing way.

Specific research has established EMDR as effective treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). However, clinicians also have reported significant sucess using EMDR in the threatment of the following conditions: • Personality Disorders • Panic Attacks • Eating Disorders • Complicated Grief • Acute Stress Disorder • Depression • Generalized Anxiety Disorder • Disturbing Memories • Phobias • Stress • Addictions • Pain Disorders • Sexual and/or Physical Abuse • Performance Anxiety • Body Dysmorphic Disordeers Typical EMDR Session One or more sessions are required for the psychologist to understand the nature of the problem and to decide whether EMDR is an appropriate treatment. The psychologist will also discuss EMDR more fully and provide opporunity to answer questions about the method. Once the Psychologist and client have agreed that EMDR is appropriate for specific problem, the actual EMDR therapy may begin. A typical EMDR session lasts from 60 to 90 minutes. The type of problem, life circumstances and the amount of previous trauma will determine how many treatment sessions are necessary. EMDR may be used within standard “talking therapy”, as an adjunctive therapy with a separate therapist, or as a treatment itself.