EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. The EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) defines Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy as “an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and other distressing life experiences, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and panic disorders.” EMDR is the World Health Organization, US Department of Veteran’s Affairs/Department of Defense, the American Psychological Association, and many others have recognized EMDR as an effective treatment.
EMDR is based on Shapiro’s (2001) Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model which posits that much of much of people’s psychological difficulties stem from adverse experiences that have been maladaptively encoded or were not processed completely, which in turn hinders a person’s ability to integrate these experiences in an adaptive way.
EMDR targets these adverse past experiences, as well as related current triggering events, and potentially distressing future events. By engaging in EMDR, these events and/or experiences are targeted and reprocessed adaptively, which can alleviate symptoms and decrease the distress, as well alter associated negative beliefs. This can lead to the resolution of negative somatic, cognitive, psychological, and emotional symptoms.
If you would like more information about EMDR therapy you can access a quick video explanation at https://youtu.be/Pkfln-ZtWeY , by visiting the EMDRIA website at https://www.emdria.org/, or by contacting our office at 586-649-7589.