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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is a form of trauma therapy developed by Dr Francine Shapiro and originally used with war veterans suffering from PTSD. It has been extensively researched over the years and is now recommended as a trauma treatment for both adults and children by the World Health Organization, NICE and the NHS.
The great thing about EMDR is that you don't have to talk about your trauma, which makes it suitable for babies, children, non-verbal populations and adults who would rather not talk through the details of their traumatic event. |
There is no consensus yet on why EMDR works, but it is theorised that the bilateral stimulation used in EMDR helps to process traumatic memories in a way similar to how the brain processes information during REM sleep. This stimulation, typically in the form of eye movements, taps, or sounds alternating between left and right sides of the body, may help with the integration of traumatic memories into normal memory networks. Some researchers suggest that EMDR works by taxing working memory, which reduces the vividness and emotional intensity of traumatic memories. Others propose that it enhances communication between the brain's hemispheres, allowing for more adaptive processing of traumatic experiences. While the exact mechanism is still under investigation, the consistent successes in reducing trauma symptoms reported by patients and therapists continues to support EMDR as an effective trauma treatment option.
What EMDR looks like depends on your age. With babies and toddlers, it takes the form of trauma stories or images and tapping on the bottom of their feet or shoulders. With children, it may be integrated into play therapy through EMDR games, drawing, drumming, stories and tapping. With teens and adults it looks more like the original therapy where you hold in mind an image of the trauma and are directed to move your eyes back and forth by your therapist. It sounds a bit woo-woo, but if you speak to anyone who has tried it you'll know how effective it is and how quickly it works.
EMDR can be used with any trauma, whether recent or in the distant past. It can also be used to work on behavioural problems, bedwetting, nightmares, phobias, anxiety, etc.
What EMDR looks like depends on your age. With babies and toddlers, it takes the form of trauma stories or images and tapping on the bottom of their feet or shoulders. With children, it may be integrated into play therapy through EMDR games, drawing, drumming, stories and tapping. With teens and adults it looks more like the original therapy where you hold in mind an image of the trauma and are directed to move your eyes back and forth by your therapist. It sounds a bit woo-woo, but if you speak to anyone who has tried it you'll know how effective it is and how quickly it works.
EMDR can be used with any trauma, whether recent or in the distant past. It can also be used to work on behavioural problems, bedwetting, nightmares, phobias, anxiety, etc.