Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy
EMDR is a structured therapy that encourages the patient to focus briefly on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements), which is associated with a reduction in the emotional intensity associated with the trauma memories.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and PTSD symptoms. EMDR has also been beneficial for clients suffering from anxiety, depression, grief, substance use disorders, sleep issues and abuse.
STATS on EMDR: Shapiro and Forrest (2016) share that more than 7 million people have been treated successfully by 110,000 therapists in 130 countries since 2016.
For more information on EMDR, click here.
Why EMDR?
During my internship with the Salvation Army, I began my work with clients that were struggling from various mental health issues. As we explored their circumstances and histories together, I came to realize the role that past traumas and neglect were playing in the many issues my clients were suffering from.
I also began to notice that the counselling tools I had previously learned were somewhat limited in helping people overcome their traumas. It was at this point that I began researching which counselling modalities were having the past outcomes for people in these situations. Through this, I discovered EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Processing). EMDR uses eye movement (or other sources of bilateral stimulation) while focusing on a trauma memory to help process the memory and find healing from it. Since I began using EMDR I have noticed a large shift in my client’s abilities to heal from traumatizing and painful memories and find relief from many of their symptoms.