EMDR
There is continual research being carried out, looking for ways to work with individuals who are struggling with a range of mental health disorders.
In the last two decades, PTSD or Post-traumatic Stress Disorder has become a significant issue in treatment, with the results of this condition often being life-long and significant, if not effectively treated.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is one of the most effective treatments for helping with the devastating issues associated with PTSD. This same treatment method can be used with anyone experiencing negative effects due to a disturbing experience in their past, even if they have not been diagnosed with PTSD.
The results of studies carried out on EMDR have shown that 84-90% of individuals experiencing stress from a single traumatic experience will no longer suffer form that negative stress after just three ninety-minute sessions of EMDR. In another study by HMO Kaiser Permanente, 77% of combat veterans with significant and multiple traumatic events in their lives no longer showed the symptoms of PTSD after 12 EMDR sessions.
EMDR is recognised by organisations including the World Health Organization, the United States Department of Defense and the American Psychiatric Association as being the most effective treatment for PTSD and other types of significant trauma. To provide this treatment therapists must be trained in the use of the technique. EMDR is provided at the Mayfair Therapy Practice for clients with PTSD, as well as those with other forms of trauma that are impacting their lives.
The Process
While EMDR is a method of psychotherapy, it is more structured than taking therapy and follows a specific procedure. The process itself is critical to the amazing results this type of treatment provides.
The first step is to have the client talk about the traumatic event. Then the therapist will direct the client to undergo a specific set of eye movements. These eye movements are carried out back and forth across the field of vision, moving from right to left and left to right. At the same time as the client is tracing the pattern with his or her eyes; the therapist asks the client to recall or recollect their negative memory; something that is stressful, a trigger for certain behaviour, or difficult to address.
This combination of eye movement and thought patterns are a trigger for internal associations to come to the surface. The surfacing of these memories in the context of a therapy session allows the mind to process them as they arise, seeing them not as they occurred at the moment but in light of where the individual is now. The therapist will then work with the client on developing new coping skills; ways of creating a mental picture of how he or she will respond.
After the surfacing and addressing of these negative feelings and memories, the process is repeated, with the client remembering the traumatic event again, but this time using their new coping strategy. This is done with the eye movements repeated, allowing the mind to "rewrite" the event in a way that does not trigger the anxiety.
Through the empowering process of EMDR the individual is able to see themselves as a survivor, and as a person with the resources needed to overcome future stresses and adversity.
If you are struggling with trauma, PTSD or issues based around upsetting or negative events in your past. EMDR may be able to help.
Contact us by email or call us on 07809 668193 to find out more, and to arrange contact with one of our trauma specialists.
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