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EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)What Is EMDR?EMDR stands for "eye movement desensitization and reprocessing." These words refer to the therapeutic technique of directing a client's eyes to move back and forth in a specific pattern guided by the therapist, while the client concentrates on disturbing or upsetting emotional material. The movement is thought to affect the way memory is accessed and treated. The words "desensitization" and "reprocessing" refer to the fact that disturbing affect is rendered neutral by the technique. As noted by psychologist Dr. Laurel Parnell, EMDR "processes and releases information trapped in the body-mind, freeing people from disturbing images and body sensations, debilitating emotions, and restrictive beliefs." (from Transforming Trauma: EMDR, By Dr. Laurel Parnell, 1997). Because EMDR works so rapidly, it is called an accelerated emotional processing tool. Clients may rapidly resolve emotional issues that might have taken months or years to treat effectively with other therapeutic interventions. What Does EMDR Treat?EMDR was developed by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1989. It has been in wide use since that time. Research and reviews of the technique show that it is effective for the treatment of trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, acute stress disorder, traumatic memories and anxiety based issues such as phobias, worries and fears. Practitioners use EMDR for many other clinical issues as well, although further research is needed in order to determine the effectiveness of EMDR for various psychological issues. What Happens in EMDR Therapy?EMDR is a mode of bilateral stimulation - stimulation to both sides of the brain. In its original format, eye movements were elicited to provide the bilateral stimulation. However, many EMDR practitioners today use other modes of bilateral stimulation in addition to or instead of eye movements. Some therapists, for example, use hand taps - they lightly tap the hands, knees or back of the client as the client is focusing his or her attention on disturbing psychological material. Other therapists use tactile stimulation (little handheld vibrating devices that provide a "buzz" alternately to each hand) or auditory stimulation (a headset that provides beeping sounds or music patterns alternately to each ear). The client is asked to think about the issue of concern for a few moments or minutes, while experiencing the bilateral stimulation. The client then shares his or her perceptions, thoughts, feelings and sensations, after which a new round of bilateral stimulation commences (perhaps with further instructions from the therapist). These rounds continue until the issue is no longer disturbing in any way. Dr. Parnell describes a typical client experience of the overall process in the following passage. Describing a rape victim, she writes: (pg. 155 Transforming Trauma: EMDR) "After the rape 'it had felt like turbulent raging water'; later, the pain and suffering that had rushed through her system had quieted into "a pond full of still water' - calmer, but unconsciously affecting her. After the EMDR 'it felt like the water had evaporated.'" Effects of EMDRThere is no single therapeutic tool that works the same way on all clients. EMDR, like all other psychological interventions, works better for some people than for others. The experience and skill of the EMDR therapist also plays a role in its success for an individual client. In successful EMDR treatment the client experiences many changes. Beliefs about the self and the world can change; emotional reactions to events and situations can change; bodily sensations and physical functioning can change. Sometimes long-forgotten memories may be recalled. The pain and hurt of traumatic memories can be cleared out of the system. Profound spiritual and transpersonal experiences may also occur. Differences Between Energy Psychology and EMDRAlthough EMDR and Energy Psychology techniques often produce the same sort of therapeutic changes (i.e. change in beliefs, feelings, bodily sensations, experience of memories and so forth), the two interventions actually operate quite differently. Energy Psychology techniques such as Thought Field Therapy and Emotional Freedom Technique tend to "contain" emotion, whereas EMDR tends to "open" emotion. Each approach may be needed at different times with the same client. The containing characteristic of Energy Psychology allows it to be helpful in reducing psychological upset of traumatic material. It also allows the therapist to quickly and effectively treat a narrow target such as a specific upsetting memory or one-time traumatic event. Energy Psychology techniques rarely produce negative side-effects such as emotional flooding or upset after treatment (although this does happen for a very small percentage of clients). The opening effect of EMDR allows associated memory channels to be accessed thoroughly. When traumatic or disturbing life events have caused damage to self-concept, interpersonal relationships and worldview, EMDR is well suited to access, explore and heal such effects. EMDR opening can also help clients who have difficulty accessing their own feelings. Because of the opening effect of EMDR, processing often continues after the therapeutic hour. This can cause some level of emotional discomfort between sessions (as more memories or feelings "leak" through the newly opened channels into night-time dreams and daytime distress). The movement of previously blocked energies means that more healing is occurring; however, it is important that clients maintain equilibrium and ability to function well between office appointments. Different therapists offer their clients various self-help tools to address this need - grounding tools, self-help measures with Energy Psychology tools, homework instructions and so forth. A skilled practitioner carefully paces treatment to prevent over-stimulation and its potentially harmful effects. When consulting a therapist for EMDR treatment it is therefore important to check the training and experience of the therapist has in dealing with your specific issue. EMDR as a Therapeutic ToolEMDR is one tool that a qualified therapist might utilize in an on-going therapy. Before using EMDR, the therapist must take a proper history, establish a therapeutic relationship, and assess the client's ability to process emotional material. This can take some weeks, or in some cases, months. Because EMDR is a potent intervention with potentially harmful side-effects when mismanaged, the client must respect the therapist's need to establish safety and stability in the therapy. Sometimes an EMDR-based treatment may take a month or two; at other times, treatment must involve many stages and strategies and can take months or years. EMDR is not a "quick-fix" - rather, it is a very useful therapeutic tool in the context of a good therapeutic treatment. ... |
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