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What is it? Eye Movement
Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a fairly new non-traditional
therapy which has helped millions of people alleviate stress associated
with trauma memories. Where traditional therapies often take years
to do this, EMDR takes only a few sessions.
Where did it come from? In 1987 Francine Shapiro,
accidentally discovered that eye movements appeared to decrease
the negative emotion associated with her own troubling memories.
In experimenting with her clients she developed a standard procedure
which proved very affective. Controlled studies continue to prove
the therapy’s usefulness with a variety of emotional issues.
What is trauma? Trauma occurs when we experience
a threat to our life or our self-preservation. Rape, sexual abuse,
assault, military combat, torture, life-threatening accidents or
illnesses are a few examples. Observing a loved one in a life threatening
experience can also produce trauma.
Tramatic events are so disturbing that our
minds are not able to process them normally. Often these memories
get stuck, or “paused” in an unprocessed state and
flash on and off when triggered. The result is what we call “flashbacks” or
recurring pictures, sounds, smells, thoughts, or feelings, which
occurred during the original
trauma experience. Clients often say, “I felt like it
was happening all over again.” Flashbacks are frightening and
put us in a helpless state of mind, keeping us from moving forward
in our lives.
How does EMDR work? It is believed that EMDR
enables our brain to reprocess these flashbacks by releasing the “pause
button” allowing the memory to be desensitized and reprocessed
(filed away appropriately.) If successful we will remember the
event as we remember other past events but without re-experiencing
the horror.
How is it done? The therapist helps the client
simulate rapid eye movement (REM), similar to that which occurs
naturally during REM sleep. Simply, the client is asked to move
his/her eyes right and left as the therapist guides the thought
process. The method involves a series of steps to target the issue
to be worked on and a scaling process to measure effectiveness.
Other methods that can be used for this bi-lateral
stimulation include holding hand pulsers, using right and left
ear tones, or knee taps. After a processing series, the client
rates
the amount of disturbance still present. This is repeated until the
trigger no longer produces a disturbance in the body when brought
to mind or until the client identifies another link to the problem
which may need to be desensitized. The EMDR process often helps
clients reach new conclusions or make
new connections which help in understanding the problem.
Other Uses EMDR has evolved as a tool to treat
other problems, as well as trauma. It is now being found useful
in the treatment of phobias, anxiety, and self-esteem issues. In
the same way that bi-lateral stimulation helps to de-activate
a troubling thought, it can enhance a positive thought, enabling
clients to calm themselves or gain inner resources they couldn’t
seem to otherwise connect to.
As a therapist, I have found EMDR to be a
useful tool. Many people, who have not benefited from traditional
therapy, have been helped with EMDR because it works very differently.
I have used it successfully with trauma, but also in developing
a client’s
ability to self-sooth, to eliminate phobias, reduce negative thinking
and for performance anxiety. Improvements have lasted over time
and clients often report no further problem with the targeted issue.
Ginny Kelly, LICSW, is a trauma and family therapist, who has
been using EMDR for over 10 years at her center. She is co-director
of Tranquil Mind & Wellness, in Lakeville, MA, where other
body, mind and spirit therapies are offered. www.tranquilmind.net
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