Maybe you’ve seen Prince Harry’s recent interviews about how EMDR psychotherapy helped him heal or perhaps a therapist or someone you trust suggested EMDR might be helpful. Now you’re wondering…
What Is EMDR and does it Really work?
Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) psychotherapy was developed by Francine Shapiro PhD initially for treatment of trauma. It’s been extensively researched and is a top-tier evidence based practice for treatment of PTSD by many US and international organizations. Millions of people have been treated successfully over the past 25+ years.
But it’s not just about trauma! Growing research has shown EMDR to be an effective treatment for other areas:
- Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias
- Attachment wounds (unmet childhood needs due to neglect, abandonment, narcissism, emotionally unavailable caregiver(s))
- Chronic Illness and medical issues
- Depression
- Dissociative disorders
- Grief and loss
- Pain
- Performance anxiety
- PTSD and other trauma and stress-related issues
- Sexual assault
- Sleep disturbance
- Substance abuse and addiction
- Violence and abuse
How Does it Work?
EMDR is based on the rationale that all of us are born with the innate ability to grow and adapt – to heal ourselves. All the time we take in new experiences, un/consciously evaluate them against our past knowledge, take whatever is useful, and let go of the rest.
When people experience a traumatic event or painful past experiences this natural healing process gets interrupted and the memory gets stuck in the brain and the body – with all the thoughts, sensations, emotions, responses that were happening at the moment.
So when something in our everyday life activates this unhealed memory it triggers the same responses that occurred at the time. Which can be very painful, frustrating, and disorienting. Regretfully we don’t have conscious control over what does and does not get frozen – this is something that the brain and body do to protect itself.
EMDR helps your brain and body to process your experience, complete the natural healing process that was interrupted, release the thoughts, sensations, emotions, responses that are no longer helpful, and connects us to whatever meaning and behaviors are important.
Short answer is YES!
Remember that research success is based on people’s lived experiences. That means there are a whole lotta people in this world who are living proof (literally!) that EMDR is effective. Since I was trained in 2007 I’m grateful to be a part of numerous clients’ healing and the significant impact it’s had on their lives. Not only do they report less distress about previously painful experiences they are more joyful, authentic, free, and connected to themselves and loved ones. Contact us to see if EMDR psychotherapy may be right for you.
Want to learn more?
About EMDR Therapy – EMDR International Association (emdria.org)
Healing Trauma (video)
Experiencing EMDR Therapy (video)
