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Eye Movement Desensitizaation Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapy based on the premise that disturbing or traumatic memories are stored and locked in part of the brain, and are so difficult for us to process, that they remain. Problems with emotions, thoughts and behaviors, many times accompanied by physical sensations, then result from these unprocessed issues.
EMDR therapy features a bi-lateral stimulation of the brain, to help unlock and enable one to process those difficult memories and all of the associated negativity stored in the brain. Bi-lateral movement of the eyes, alternating tones to the ears, or alternating taps on the body, are options to provide this stimuli to the brain. The eye movement seems to be the most effective.
EMDR works for many people, however, an exact explanation of what it does, remains somewhat of a mystery. Among the theories submitted for debate is the one that relates EMDR to REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. During the REM phase, we dream and our brains process events of the day. The brain also tries to process other events that are more difficult. When disturbing dreams or nightmares result, we will become even more sensitive to the disturbing event. Greater sensitization occurs because of surprise recollections such as dreams, nightmares, sensory triggers, or flashbacks.
EMDR enables a person and his or her therapist to confront the problem in a controlled and orderly manner, in a safe setting, with ample support. The issue at hand is then addressed by discussing the memory, identifying the emotions, identifying negative beliefs/thoughts about oneself because of what happened, and addressing body sensations in conjunction with the eye movement which engages the brain to process the disturbing event.
Once the past is dealt with, we look at the present, and then prepare for the future. As the old disturbances are desensitized, new positive and true ways of believing in oneself are obtained, and then new behaviors follow. EMDR is a wonderfully simple and effective therapy for many people.
EMDR fits in with nearly every theory of counseling, so it is a wonderful adjunct for counselors to incorporate into their own styles. Training and certification are required to be responsible therapists with this method. The following website is a resource for clients to learn more about EMDR.
www.emdrnetwork.org
With EMDR we see that "the eyes are the window to the soul"!
by Diana Karpavage,LCPC, Certified EMDR Therapist
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