 | What is EMDR? EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Is For Treatment Of: - anxiety
- phobias
- panic attacks
- stress reduction
- loss/grief issues
- recent/old traumatic events
- sexual and/or physical abuse
- performance anxiety
- disturbing memories
- addictions
For Coaching of Individuals, Businesses, & Organizations in the areas of: - Performance Improvement & Enhancement by breaking though resistance from old or non-effective beliefs, behaviors, and behaviors
- Individual, Organizational and Developmental Clearness and Congruency
- Transitional: Optimizing, Coping and Growing from Change
"EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy has emerged as a procedure to be reckoned with in psychology.... Almost a million people have been treated.... Also, further research appears to support the remarkable claims made for EMDR therapy."
- Reported in The Washington Post, July 21, 1995 |
WHAT IS EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a powerful new method of doing psychotherapy. To date, EMDR has helped over half million people of all ages relieve many different types of psychological distress, as well as being successfully used by corporations, sports figures, and performers and Artists seeking to improve their performance, as they break down their personal barriers and resistances.
HOW WAS EMDR DEVELOPED?
In 1987, psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro made the chance observation that eye movements can reduce the intensity of disturbing thoughts under certain conditions. Dr. Shapiro studied this effect scientifically and, in 1989, she reported success using EMDR to treat victims of trauma in the Journal of Traumatic Stress. Since then, EMDR has developed and evolved through the contributions of therapists and researchers all over the world. Today, EMDR is a set of protocols that incorporate elements from many different treatment approaches.
HOW DOES EMDR WORK?
No one knows exactly how it works. However, we do know that when a person is very upset, their brain cannot 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 haven’t changed. Such memories have a lasting negative effect on the way a person sees the world and relates to other people that interferes with his or her life.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing seems to have a direct effect on the way that the brain functions. Normal information processing is resumed, so following a successful EMDR session; the images sounds and feelings no longer are relived when the event is brought to mind. What happened is still remembered, but it is less upsetting. Many types of therapy have similar goals. However, EMDR is unique in that the eye movements, or alternating left-right attention, accelerate the process so that the end is reached more rapidly than by other means. What happens during EMDR appears to be similar to what occurs naturally during dreaming or REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Therefore, EMDR can be thought of as a physiologically based therapy that helps a person see disturbing material in a new and less distressing way.
BUT DOES EMDR REALLY WORK?
A number of scientific studies have shown that EMDR is effective. For example, the prestigious Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology published research in December 1995. This study of 80 subjects with post-traumatic stress demonstrated that clients improved significantly with EMDR treatment, and further study showed that this beneficial effect was maintained for at least 15 months. The findings from this and other studies indicate that EMDR is highly effective and that results are long lasting. For further references, a bibliography of research on EMDR may be obtained through EMDRIA.
WHAT IS THE ACTUAL EMDR SESSION LIKE?
During EMDR, the therapist works with the client to identify a specific problem to be the focus of a treatment session. The client calls to mind the disturbing issue or event, what was seen, felt, heard, thought, etc., and what thoughts and beliefs currently are held about that event. The therapist performs sets of eye movements while the client focuses on the disturbing material, and the client just notices whatever comes to mind without making any effort to control direction or content. Each person will process information uniquely, based on personal experience and values. It is important to understand that there is no way for the client to do EMDR incorrectly! Sets of eye movements are continued until the memory becomes less disturbing and is associated with positive thoughts and beliefs about one’s self; for example, "I did the best I could." During session the client may experience intense emotions, but by the end of the session most people report a great reduction in the level of disturbance.
HOW LONG DOES EMDR TAKE?
One or more sessions are required for the therapist to understand the nature of the problem and to decide whether EMDR is an appropriate treatment. The therapist also will discuss EMDR more fully and provide an opportunity to answer any questions about the method. A typical session lasts about 90 minutes. The type of problem, life circumstances, and the amount of previous trauma will determine how many treatment sessions are necessary. A single session is sufficient in some cases. However, a typical course of treatment is 3 to 10 sessions, performed weekly, or every other week. EMDR may be used within a standard "talking" therapy, as an adjunctive therapy with a separate therapist, or as a treatment all by itself.
DOES INSURANCE COVER EMDR?
If your policy covers standard psychotherapy, it most likely will cover EMDR.
Call or Write NOW to change your life for yourself and those you care about. John C Goodman, LCSW (847) 259-0005 Mt. Prospect, IL Near Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, Palatine, and Schaumburg. changenow@internalchange.com Home Page
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