Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)

What is Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)?

EMDR or Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing was discovered by a Californian psychologist Francine Shapiro in the late 1980’s and is used primarily to resolve symptoms that have arisen from disturbing and traumatic events. It is based on the view that when traumatic events occur, the body’s natural ability to cope is so overwhelmed that the memory is not always adequately processed. 

EMDR attempts to address this through a process which involves recalling the distressing event, including the bodily sensations and emotions, while at the same time following rapid side to side eye movements, hand tapping or other sounds,all under the instruction of the therapist. The therapy includes guided relaxation or meditation as part of the preparation and following these exercises. 

EMDR is thought to simulate REM sleep when our eye movements accompany the processing of our daytime memories. EMDR is designed to tap into this process and allow us to digest previously unresolved memories and thereby make them less distressing. 

EMDR therapy has been found to be be useful in the treatment of for example:

-PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)

-Phobias and Fears

-Anxiety

-Low Self-Esteem

EMDR is thought to simulate REM sleep when our eye movements accompany the processing of our daytime memories. EMDR is designed to tap into this process and allow us to digest previously unresolved memories and thereby make them less distressing.

EMDR therapy has been found to be be useful in the treatment of for example:

• PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
• Phobias and Fears
• Anxiety
• Low Self-Esteem