What is EMDR? - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
EMDR is a method used by therapists to treat patients who have been victims of trauma. The therapist generally takes a thorough history of the patient and the trauma, and fronm there, works with the client to help alleviate the intensity of the remembered trauma. The client is asked to remember the trauma, and then, using a series of bilateral eye movements lead by the therapist, the client's intense feelings abou the trauma gradually lessen, until the trauma fades in importance and impact. This lessening of impact upon the client allows th eclient to be free of the effects of that particular trauma.
Common presenting problems appropriate for EMDR include:
- Single Incident Traumas
- Multiple Incident Trauma/Sexual Abuse/Molestation/Physical Abuse
- Fear of Public Speaking
- Car Accidents
- Phobia: Airplane, Specific Animals, Claustrophobia
- Panic Attacks/Agoraphobia
- Divorce
- Loss/Grieving/Deaths (of people or pets)
- Depression
- Sleep Disorders/Nightmares
- Medical Operations
- Natural Disasters
EMDR References & Resources
Manfield, Philip ed. EMDR Casebook. (Norton, New York, 2003) To order call 1-800-233-4830
Websites
www.emdria.com
www.eddr.com