The mind can and often does heal itself naturally in the same way the body does. Much of this natural healing happens by a process called Adaptive Information Processing or AIP. The brain processes naturally when we enter REM sleep. The brain naturally uses AIP to cope with stressors or in other words traumas.
Francine Shapiro developed Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR) in 1987. She utilised the brain’s natural ability to process trauma in order to successfully treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and since then EMDR has been used to effectively treat a wide range of other problems such as:
Anxiety and Panic Attacks, Depression, Stress, Phobias, OCD, Sleep Problems, Complicated Grief, Addictions, Physical pain, Self-esteem and performance anxiety
How does it work?
View this 2 minute video for a demo of how it works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKrfH43srg8
Most of the time the body manages new information and experiences without you being aware of it. When something out of the ordinary occurs and the event that is experienced is overwhelming, it can become a trauma. Trauma can occur as a result of a one-off incident like a car accident or it can occur as a result of being repeatedly exposed to distressing incidences. Trauma occurs when our natural ability to cope has become overloaded. This overloading can result in the disturbing experience(s) remaining frozen or ‘stuck’ and therefore unprocessed. Unprocessed memories and feelings are stored in the Limbic system of the brain in a raw emotional form.
The Limbic system maintains traumatic memories in an isolated memory network that is associated with emotions and physical sensations. This system is disconnected from the brain’s cortex which is where we use language to store memories. The Limbic system’s memories can be triggered when we experience events similar to the original difficult experience(s). Often the memory itself is long forgotten but the painful feelings that we associate with anxiety, panic, anger or despair are triggered in the present. Our ability to live in the present and learn from new experiences can therefore become inhibited.
EMDR helps create connections between the brain’s memory networks which enables the brain to process the traumatic memory in its’ own natural way.
What is an EMDR session with me like?
Most clients feel anxious which is entirely understandable. It’s worth remembering that EMDR wont make your symptoms worse. You’ve already lived through the event and are coping with the ‘fall out’ of the emotions.
After I’ve asked you a few questions and completed a couple of questionnaires, I’ll ask specific questions about a ‘target’ memory that we will have previously decided to process.
Eye movements similar to those during REM sleep (left to right eye movements) will be recreated simply by asking you to watch the therapist’s finger moving back and forth across your field of vision. If eye movements feel uncomfortable there are a couple of other techniques we can try. The eye movements will last for a short while and I’ll pause so you can rest your eyes and notice what you’ve experienced.
Experiences during the eye movements may include changes in thoughts, images and feelings. With repeated sets of eye movements, the held memory/sensation tends to change in such a way that it loses its intensity and becomes a neutral memory and feels less emotionally painful. Other associated memories may also heal at the same time.
This linking of memories can lead to a rapid improvement in many aspects of life.
Who can benefit from EMDR?
EMDR can accelerate healing by resolving the impact of past traumas and therefore allows us to be more present and live more fully. There’s a therapy out there for everyone and EMDR won’t be a good fit for everyone. The process is rapid and any disturbing experiences, if they happen at all, last for a comparatively short space of time. Nevertheless, you will need to be prepared to feel difficult feelings and thoughts which do sometimes occur. You may also feel more tired than usual after a session.
How long is a course of EMDR therapy?
EMDR can be part of a longer-term course of psychotherapy or a brief course of treatment. Sessions last either 60 minutes (£60) or 90 minutes (£90). Because EMDR is a rapid therapy we can achieve results much faster than we do with talking therapies.
Please do remember:
During EMDR you remain in control, fully alert and wide awake. It is not a form of Hypnosis. You can stop at any time. Throughout the session I will support your own self-healing and I will intervene as little as possible. Most people experience EMDR as being a natural and empowering therapy.
Evidence:
EMDR is an innovative clinical treatment which has successfully helped over a million individuals. EMDR is the most thoroughly researched method used in the treatment of trauma and it is recommended by NICE and WHO as an effective treatment for PTSD.
https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/recent-research-about-emdr/
If you have any questions, please feel welcome to ask.
Dialogues 