What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapeutic
procedure that involves induced movements of the eyes as the therapist guides the
client in concentrating on a troubling memory or emotion. This rapid eye movement,
which occurs naturally during dreaming, seems to speed the client's movement through
the healing process.
How Was EMDR Developed?
In 1987, psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro made the chance observation that eye
movements can reduce the intensity of disturbing thoughts under certain conditions.
Dr. Shapiro studied this effect scientifically with a group of Viet Nam veterans and
victims of rape and incest, all who suffered from PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
She found the procedure reduced the frequency and intensity of their symptoms and
the results held over time.
What Is It Used For?
EMDR is used to treat troubling symptoms such as severe trauma, anxiety, depression,
guilt, problematic anger and grief. Post traumatic stress reactions such as disturbing
and intrusive thoughts, nightmares and flashbacks can be effectively overcome with
the use of EMDR, and can be extremely helpful for victims of rape and battery,
childhood abuse and trauma, disasters, car crashes and violent crimes. It can also be
used to enhance emotional resources such as confidence and self-esteem.
What happens in a session?
EMDR is different for everyone, because the healing process is guided from within.
Sometimes past issues or memories come up, which are related to the current concern.
These may also be treated with EMDR, perhaps in the same session. Sometimes a
painful memory brings up unpleasant emotions or body sensations. This is normal and
generally passes within a few minutes, as long as the EMDR is not stopped. The
upsetting emotion or memory often seems to fade into the past and lose its power
Why bring up a painful memory?
When painful memories are avoided, they keep their disturbing power. However, a
flashback or nightmare can feel as upsetting and overwhelming as the original
experience yet not be helpful. In therapy, and with EMDR, you can face the memory in a
safe setting, so that you do not feel overwhelmed. Then you can get through it and
move on.
Will I be in control?
It is hard to predict what kinds of thoughts, feelings, or memories might come up during
EMDR. It depends upon each individual's natural healing process. The client is always
in charge of whether to continue or stop. The client can also decide how much to tell
the therapist about the experience. The therapist serves as a guide to help the client
stay on track and get the most out of the session, and will encourage the client to
continue through difficult parts.
Are there any precautions?
Yes. It is very important that the therapist be formally trained in EMDR. Otherwise, there
is a risk that EMDR would be incomplete, ineffective, or even harmful
How should I prepare for my first EMDR session?
Try to plan to have some time after the session to relax and ideally take a nap. This
seems to help many people enhance the processing that took place during the session,
and often it is reported that the sleep is very deep and relaxing.
What happens afterwards?
You may continue to process the material for days or even weeks after the session,
perhaps having new insights, vivid dreams, strong feelings, or memory recall. This may
feel confusing, but it is just a continuation of the healing process, and should simply be
reported to the therapist at the next session. (If, however, you become concerned or
depressed, you should call your therapist immediately.) When the distressing symptoms
are eliminated, the client can work with the therapist on developing new skills and ways
of coping.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapeutic
procedure that involves induced movements of the eyes as the therapist guides the
client in concentrating on a troubling memory or emotion. This rapid eye movement,
which occurs naturally during dreaming, seems to speed the client's movement through
the healing process.
How Was EMDR Developed?
In 1987, psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro made the chance observation that eye
movements can reduce the intensity of disturbing thoughts under certain conditions.
Dr. Shapiro studied this effect scientifically with a group of Viet Nam veterans and
victims of rape and incest, all who suffered from PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
She found the procedure reduced the frequency and intensity of their symptoms and
the results held over time.
What Is It Used For?
EMDR is used to treat troubling symptoms such as severe trauma, anxiety, depression,
guilt, problematic anger and grief. Post traumatic stress reactions such as disturbing
and intrusive thoughts, nightmares and flashbacks can be effectively overcome with
the use of EMDR, and can be extremely helpful for victims of rape and battery,
childhood abuse and trauma, disasters, car crashes and violent crimes. It can also be
used to enhance emotional resources such as confidence and self-esteem.
What happens in a session?
EMDR is different for everyone, because the healing process is guided from within.
Sometimes past issues or memories come up, which are related to the current concern.
These may also be treated with EMDR, perhaps in the same session. Sometimes a
painful memory brings up unpleasant emotions or body sensations. This is normal and
generally passes within a few minutes, as long as the EMDR is not stopped. The
upsetting emotion or memory often seems to fade into the past and lose its power
Why bring up a painful memory?
When painful memories are avoided, they keep their disturbing power. However, a
flashback or nightmare can feel as upsetting and overwhelming as the original
experience yet not be helpful. In therapy, and with EMDR, you can face the memory in a
safe setting, so that you do not feel overwhelmed. Then you can get through it and
move on.
Will I be in control?
It is hard to predict what kinds of thoughts, feelings, or memories might come up during
EMDR. It depends upon each individual's natural healing process. The client is always
in charge of whether to continue or stop. The client can also decide how much to tell
the therapist about the experience. The therapist serves as a guide to help the client
stay on track and get the most out of the session, and will encourage the client to
continue through difficult parts.
Are there any precautions?
Yes. It is very important that the therapist be formally trained in EMDR. Otherwise, there
is a risk that EMDR would be incomplete, ineffective, or even harmful
How should I prepare for my first EMDR session?
Try to plan to have some time after the session to relax and ideally take a nap. This
seems to help many people enhance the processing that took place during the session,
and often it is reported that the sleep is very deep and relaxing.
What happens afterwards?
You may continue to process the material for days or even weeks after the session,
perhaps having new insights, vivid dreams, strong feelings, or memory recall. This may
feel confusing, but it is just a continuation of the healing process, and should simply be
reported to the therapist at the next session. (If, however, you become concerned or
depressed, you should call your therapist immediately.) When the distressing symptoms
are eliminated, the client can work with the therapist on developing new skills and ways
of coping.
EMDR
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