Bilateral stimulation involves moving the eyes rhythmically from left to right.
Over time, exposure to these memories reduces or eliminates your negative response to them.
EMDR was initially developed in the late 1980s by psychologist Francine Shapiro to treatpost-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD).
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EMDR involves eight phases of treatment that focus on the past, the present, and the future.
Phase 1: History-Taking
The first phase involves getting your complete history.
This phase aims to improve the individual’s ability to cope with emotional distress.
This stage can also strengthen the therapeutic relationship between the therapist and the client.
These sets may include eye movements, tactile taps, or auditory tones.
If you’re still experiencing negative sensations, they will become the focus of the next set.
This process continues until the target memory no longer distresses you.
EMDR is designed to break any associations you have between certain memories and negative symptoms.
If you want to change your positive belief to something else, this is the time to do so.
While thinking of the target memory and positive belief, your therapist will take you through more stimulation sets.
The purpose of this is to identify any residual distress.
Phase 7: Closure
Closure is used to end every session.
Your therapist may assignhomeworkto help maintain progress between sessions.
Typical homework assignments include:
Phase 8: Reevaluation
Every new session begins with reevaluation.
You and your therapist will discuss your current psychological state and whether the treatment and self-relaxation techniques are working.
They will ask if any targeted memories have arisen since the previous session.
Benefits of EMDR Therapy
The benefits of EMDR extend beyond PTSD and trauma resolution.
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Treatment with EMDR can provide rapid relief.
It even has the potential to help you begin to feel better after the first session.
However, there is a great deal of variability in how individuals respond to EMDR.
Work with your therapist to find ways to cope with your feelings as you go forward with therapy.
EMDR Therapy Controversies
EMDR is sometimes seen as a controversial form of therapy.
However, more research is needed.
The efficacy of this approach to treatment can also be a source of contention.
Find out which option is the best for you.
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Shapiro F.Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: Basic principles, protocols, and procedures.
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Valiente-Gomez A, Moreno-Alcazar A, Treen D, et al.EMDR beyond PTSD: A systematic literature review.Front Psychol.
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