EMDR therapy stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy, which is a nontraditional form of psychotherapy that was developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1987 to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) . EMDR therapy is based on the theory that traumatic events are not properly processed in the brain when they happen, which is why they continue to affect us long after the actual trauma is over. EMDR therapy involves attention to three time periods: the past, present, and future. Focus is given to past disturbing memories and related events, current situations that cause distress, and developing the skills and attitudes.
EMDR therapy is an eight-phase treatment that uses eye movements or other bilateral stimulation during one part of the session. After the clinician has determined which memory to target first, the client is asked to hold different aspects of that event or thought in mind and to use their eyes to track the therapists hand as it moves back and forth across the clients field of vision. One theory behind how EMDR works is that it helps the two sides of the brain to communicate with one another - the left side, which specializes in logic and reason, and the right side, which specializes in emotion. However, experts do not know exactly how EMDR works, and ongoing investigations point out that its a complex form of therapy and likely has many mechanisms of action.
EMDR therapy is effective in treating PTSD and other psychological problems such as panic attacks, eating disorders, addictions, and anxiety. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has noted that EMDR is effective for treating symptoms of acute and chronic PTSD, and it may be particularly useful for people who have trouble talking about the traumatic events theyve experienced. However, more research is needed to tell whether improvements from EMDR can be sustained over time. EMDR therapy is a specialized therapy that requires specific certification and licensing, so not all therapists practice this type of therapy.
