If you have been struggling with symptoms of PTSD or the effects of exposure to traumatic events, you likely have found EMDR as a potential treatment. But what is EMDR therapy? Read this post to learn more about this common trauma treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EMDR stands for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. Therefore, EMDR is an evidence based treatment to help traumatic memories. This approach to treatment allows people to get relief with minimal talking about the trauma. Instead, your therapist will ask you what you noticed after each section of bilateral movement. You can say as much or as little as you choose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EMDR uses bilateral movement to help you reprocess memories. This is similar to dream sleep. While you dream, your eyes move back and forth as you reprocess events. Similarly, EMDR uses the back and forth movement to reprocess memories that your mind stored “improperly.” Your brain is doing all the work. Thus, your therapist is a guide during these sessions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While there are apps and other ways to do bilateral stimulation yourself, it is not recommended. As your guide during EMDR, your therapist helps keep you grounded in the present while exploring the past. Also, she helps moderate your reaction so you do not become flooded. Attempting EMDR on your own risks triggering reactions that you cannot control alone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
EMDR therapists attend training beyond their master’s degree programs. Typically, EMDR basic training consists of 2 separate weekends with time in between to practice the skills. In the process of training, therapists experience first hand how EMDR works from your perspective in addition to learning how to lead you through the treatment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n