EMDR is an innovative form of psychotherapy. It was pioneered by an American clinical psychologist, Dr Francine Shapiro, in the 1980’s. It is commonly referred to as the ‘eye movement’ therapy. However many people think that a better name for it might be ‘Accelerated Information Processing.’
It was initially developed for the treatment of victims of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It was discovered to have dramatic results in such cases. Many cases have been documented authenticating these results. In the UK it is the treatment of choice for trauma recommended by NICE, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.
Early cases treated by EMDR practioners were Vietnam veterans and victims of sexual assault. They found that nightmares, flashbacks and crippling negative thoughts were significantly reduced. The result was that many clients were enabled to go back to living ordinary lives after a relatively short number of sessions. It was also used for the victims of childhood trauma, eg rape, physical and sexual abuse, accidents etc.
OTHER PROBLEMS WHICH CAN BENEFIT FROM EMDR
Apart from trauma cases, it went on to be used successfully, but not so dramatically, in a large number of other cases including:-
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Anxieties
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Phobias
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Anybody living dysfunctionally due to events from the past
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Eating disorders
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Substance abuse
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Performance blocks in writers, actors and sportsmen.
EMDR can also be used as a complement to conventional therapy with people struggling to resolve a wide range of everyday psychological issues in which they feel stuck.
By using the EMDR technique the benefits of conventional therapy can frequently be accelerated.
For further information please click EMDR-FAQ’s.
