What is EMDR Therapy?

How it Works

EMDR therapy, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy, is a relatively new form of psychotherapy. It does not follow traditional therapeutic techniques such as talk therapy, and it does not require prescription medication. This makes it a particularly exciting treatment option for patients seeking relief without the risk of dangerous adverse side effects. EMDR therapy lasts around 90 minutes, and works by using the patient’s own rapid, rhythmic eye movements to improve their emotional responses to certain stimuli.

During an EMDR therapy session, a therapist will gently work with the patient to revisit a traumatic event or problematic trigger situation. As the patient addresses the memory, the therapist moves an object rapidly in front of the patient’s eyes like windshield wipers. As emotionally charged images and memories arise, the patient views them through rapidly moving eyes. When these natural, rhythmic eye movements are induced, the painful feelings about the event are replaced with peaceful and resolved ones. The eye movements naturally lessen the power of emotionally charged traumatic memories. EMDR therapy has already been very successful at reducing many of the troublesome symptoms that arise from instances of trauma.

What it Treats

EMDR therapy has been shown effective in treating many psychological problems, such as anxiety, eating disorders, and addictions. However, it is particularly useful for treating patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD can occur after a variety of traumatic experiences, such as sexual or physical assault, the loss of a loved one, military combat, or even a car accident. By changing the brain’s emotional response to memories of the trauma, EMDR therapy can help resolve the physical sensations that go along with it. Some common symptoms of PTSD that EMDR therapy has been able to relieve include:

• Avoidance of Reminders
• Increased Emotional Arousal
• Intrusive Thoughts
• Insomnia
• Nightmares
• Flashbacks
• Emotional Outbursts
• Paranoia
• Difficulty Maintaining Focus 

Can EMDR Therapy Help You?

If you are suffering from problematic symptoms related to a traumatic event, EMDR therapy can be a safe and effective treatment option. Patients with PTSD are often prescribed serious medications like antidepressants or antianxiety pills, but these drugs can lead to even more unwanted side effects. EMDR therapy is a natural option that has not been shown to produce adverse results. It has been declared an effective form of trauma treatment by many psychiatric organizations including the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies, the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, and the American Psychiatric Association. EMDR therapy has already provided relief for countless patients, so don’t suffer in silence – there is help available!