What is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of trauma. EMDR is a set of standardized protocols that incorporate elements from different treatment approaches.
How does EMDR work?
EMDR therapy uses a technique called Bilateral Stimulation, or BLS, to repeatedly activate opposite sides of the brain. Therapists originally used eye movements to facilitate bilateral stimulation. These eye movements mimic the period of sleep referred to as rapid eye movement or REM sleep. This portion of sleep is frequently considered to be the time when the mind processes and neutralizes recent or distressing events in the person’s life. Present day, and specifically at Tunnel Light Therapy, brain activation is most often stimulated by way of gentle and consistent vibrations from a set of small buzzers that conveniently fit in a client's hand.
EMDR helps the brain reprocess trapped memories in such a way that normal information processing is resumed. Therapists often use EMDR to help clients uncover and process beliefs that developed as the result of relational traumas, childhood abuse and/or neglect, environmental disasters, military service, etc. For a more detailed explanation please visit the EMDR Institute, Inc.
What does EMDR help?
EMDR had been originally established as helpful for PTSD and C-PTSD (Complex Post-Trauamatic Stress Disorder), although it’s been proven useful for treatment for the following conditions:
- Panic Attacks
- Generalized Anxiety
- Depression
- Complicated Grief
- Dissociative Orders
- Disturbing Memories
- Phobias
- Pain Disorders
- Performance Anxiety
- Addictions
- Stress Reduction
- Sexual and/or Physical Abuse
- Body Dysmorphic Disorders
- Personality Disorders
- Chronic Pain
None of the above symptoms or experiences fit you?
Do you experience distressing emotions that appear to you, and perhaps to others, to be excessive? Do you tend to be highly reactive to certain triggers? Is there one or more dysfunctional beliefs that you believe about yourself that on an intellectual level you know is not true? If so, you may still be a good candidate for EMDR therapy.