EMDR

What is EMDR?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing.

It is a powerful new psychotherapy technique, successfully helping people who suffer from trauma, anxiety, panic and emotional problems.

When a person is very upset, the brain seems to be unable to process the experience as it would normally. The negative thoughts and feelings of the traumatic event are “trapped” in the nervous system. As the brain cannot process these emotions, the experience and/or it’s accompanying feelings are often left unmanaged and away from consciousness. However, this distress lives on in the nervous system where it causes instability in the emotional functioning of the person.

The therapist works gently with the client, guiding him or her to revisit the traumatic incident. When the memory is brought to mind, the feelings are re-experienced in a new way. EMDR makes it possible to gain the self-knowledge and perspective that will enable the client to choose their actions, rather than feeling powerless over their re-actions. This process can be complex if there are many experiences connected to the negative feelings. The EMDR therapy sessions continue until the traumatic memories and emotions are relieved.