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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing For Trauma Control

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing is a long and unwieldy name for a new therapeutic tool that is amazingly quick and easy to use.

EMDR was discovered in the late 1980s by and American, Francine Shapiro. It is now used in trauma centres in many countries, with a good deal of research to back up its effectiveness.

An EDMR session is not complicated

The client goes through the process of describing the traumatic memory. The practitioner helps them to concentrate on the most grave aspect and the feelings that go with it. They then describe the negative belief that may have become internalised as a result.

For example, if a man had been involved in a road traffic accident and felt that he hadn't been careful enough, the thought might be "I'm so stupid.' Then the therapist helps the client formulate the belief he'd really like to have, which could be 'I do the best I can to keep myself safe.' The thoughts and feelings are rated on scales of 1-10.

The client must keep in mind the negative thoughts and feeling as he holds on to the memory. He then watches as the practitioner moves his or her hand in front of the client's face in a series of movements. There is then a pause.

Whatever the client is thinking is spoken about, as well as his feelings and anything in his body. Then the therapist starts the hand movements again. This is repeated as often as necessary until nothing new is being observed or felt. Now it is time to return to the original thoughts and feelings and give them a rating again. Now an objective measure of change can be observed.

How does EMDR work?

It seems that the brain fails to process trauma memories in the usual way, and they get stuck in a place (the limbic system) where they are easily triggered. Bilateral stimulation of the brain appears to help these memories shift to the place where ordinary memories are stored (the cerebral cortex), losing their emotional charge on the way.

Clients who have received this form of treatment state that the memory has not gone away but the unpleasant or frightening feelings that came with it have gone, and they feel a lot better with themselves.

Eye movements are the usual mode of EMDR, but needn't be confined to this so long as other bilateral methods are employed. This includes tapping on hands or knees alternately, or headphones can be worn, and certain sounds listened to. EMDR can be used with great success with core beliefs and patterns that cannot be shifted with any amount of talk therapy.

For a trauma that is simple as with a car accident, the feelings may be processed in only six sessions. Traumas that are more complex may require a therapeutic relationship that is ongoing.

Article Source: http://www.articleadventure.com

Su Fox is an experienced British psychotherapist and counsellor who can be contacted at london psychotherapy or london counselling. She is also writer of a book for complementary practitioners: Relating To Clients.

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