What is EMDR?

 

When disturbing events happen in our lives they can often stay with us becoming „frozen in time“ and frozen in our brain. The event can’t be integrated in our brains network of positive and adaptive information. It feels like the event was yesterday. The images, sounds and feelings of that event are still present. These memories can have a negative effect on how we function in the now and in the future. They interfere with how we relate to other people, how we think about ourselves and the world around us, often making us use maladaptive ways of coping with these feelings, which becomes a vicious cycle.

The brain can usually process these events naturally, often when we sleep, hence dreaming or even nightmares.

EMDR utilises this natural processing of information, unfreezing the event and processing it. After EMDR Therapy the event becomes distant, in the past where it belongs. People report no longer living the event with all the feelings, thoughts and bodily sensations associated with the event. People know the incident happened, but it is no longer upsetting or negatively influencing everyday life in the now and the future.

 

How Long Does EMDR Therapy Take?

A typical EMDR session can last from 60-90 minutes. Your life circumstances and the amount of trauma you have in the past may determine how many sessions will be necessary. One or more sessions will be needed to elicit the traumas that need to be processed and worked on. Processing does not mean talking about your trauma. EMDR can be done without talking in detail about your trauma. It’s important to for the therapist to determine if EMDR is the right therapy for you at this time.

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Your EMDR Session – what happens?

When we start an EMDR session, we take a negative image or a disturbing issue. You will be asked to bring the image to mind, the emotions and thoughts around that event or issue. Your therapist then starts with you moving your eyes from right to left or bilateral stimulation, right to left, left to right movements. These eye movements are the natural way of processing information until the event becomes distant, less disturbing and placed in the past.

 

The following international bodies endorse EMDR:

World Health Organisation (2013)

Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental health (2007)

The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (2009)

National Health and Medical Research Council (2007)

American Psychiatric Association (2004)

US Department of Veterans Affairs (2004)

Israel National Council for Mental Health (2002)

Clinical Division of the American Psychological Association (1998)

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