What
is EMDR?
by
Linda
A. Ronconi, M.Ed.
EMDR
is an acronym for Eye Movement Desensitization and
Reprocessing, and is an innovative form of therapy that
makes use of recent research in the area of neurophysiology.
It is a complex, powerful and brief method of psychotherapy
that uses eye movements or other forms of rhythmical
stimulation to assist the brain in processing information at
a rapid rate.
The
focus of EMDR is on trauma, both big "T" trauma such as war,
rape, natural disaster, loss and grief, as well as small "t"
trauma in which a seemingly innocuous event of personal
significance leaves an indelible mark on a person's psyche.
The effects of trauma can be reversible. Trauma is defined
as "an emotional shock that creates substantial and lasting
psychological damage."
According
to research, traumatic memory may be the result of the way
information is stored in the brain. In the EMDR process,
some aspect of the traumatic memory is unlocked, reactivated
and allowed to emerge so that a person's innate ability to
heal psychologically can proceed.
The
EMDR process accesses the traumatic memory and the specific
image and negative cognitions connected with it, but does
not dwell on it. An individual session can be intense
because EMDR focuses on the feelings related to the
specified trauma and on several other aspects and levels
concurrently, working with the thoughts, physical sensations
and behaviors that relate back to the traumatic
incident.
EMDR
treatment is considered to be dramatic and innovative and is
therefore, controversial. One of the benefits of controversy
is that concerned skeptics demand evidence. As a result,
there are now more controlled studies supporting the
effectiveness of EMDR than of any other method used in the
treatment of trauma.
If
you decide to use EMDR for trauma resolution, be sure to
seek out a licensed clinician specifically trained in EMDR
for trauma resolution, and be sure that he or she has kept
up with the latest developments. Information on trained
clinicians can be obtained through the EMDR Institute at
Pacific Grove, CA, (408) 372-3900.
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