EMDR
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
EMDR is a form of therapy that helps people heal from trauma or other distressing life experiences. EMDR therapy has been extensively researched and has demonstrated effectiveness for trauma. Our brains have a natural way to recover from traumatic memories and events. This process involves communication between the amygdala (the alarm signal for stressful events), the hippocampus (which assists with learning, including memories about safety and danger), and the prefrontal cortex (which analyzes and controls behavior and emotion). While many times traumatic experiences can be managed and resolved spontaneously, some may not be processed without help. Stress responses are part of our natural fight, flight, or freeze instincts. EMDR therapy helps the brain process these memories, and allows normal healing to resume. The experience is still remembered, but the fight, flight, or freeze response from the original event is resolved. Also, people will often experience healthy shifts in insight or changes in images, feelings, or beliefs regarding the event.
EMDR is utilized effectively with a wide range of issues, including: PTSD, Trauma and Stressful Experiences, Military Trauma, Natural Disaster Trauma, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Phobias, Performance Anxiety, Sexual Assault, Violence/Abuse Experiences, Addictions, Grief/Loss, Chronic Pain/Illness, Traumatic Medical Experiences, Eating Disorders, Past Difficult Experiences, Dissociative Disorders, Performance Enhancement, and many other types of issues.
For more information about EMDR, you can go to www.EMDRIA.org, and/or you can click the video link below to learn more about EMDR and how EMDR therapy works.
Source: Content sourced in part from www.EMDRIA.org.