Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is a therapy originally developed by Francine Shapiro to address traumatic experiences, especially single-incident traumatic experiences such as an automobile accident or an assault. Its application has been refined and is now used effectively to help those who have suffered repeated traumas or whose early attachment history was troubled.
For Trauma
Trauma may leave us in a chronic state of "fight or flight" even when the actual threat has passed. In that state it typically becomes difficult to get adequate sleep, offer others an appropriate level of trust, make far-sighted decisions, focus on work, or relax into play. Instead, the traumatized person swings between hyper-vigilance and shutting down.
EMDR is a phased treatment for the symptoms of trauma. EMDR promotes the adaptive processing of the overwhelming information (e.g. "I am about to die!") it was impossible to process at the time of the trauma. Whereas the undigested traumatic experience leads to a feeling of being stuck, adaptive information processing leads to a new recognition of possibilities.
The International Society of Stress Studies practice guidelines lists EMDR as an evidence-based level A treatment for PTSD in adults.
For Attachment Issues
EMDR is also helpful in resolving attachment issues--the stuckness that comes from growing up in an emotionally or otherwise threatening environment and that interferes with forming or maintaining loving relationships in adulthood.
For a detailed description of the phases of EMDR, please see the EMDRIA website:
http://emdria2.affiniscape.com/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=120
For an explanation of how EMDR leads to adaptive information processing, please see Ellen Farrell's synopsis of the theory:
http://www.ellenfarrell.com/PDF/what_is/general/emdr_information_proc.pdf
For research on trauma, please see David Baldwin's Trauma Pages: http://www.trauma-pages.com/
For Trauma
Trauma may leave us in a chronic state of "fight or flight" even when the actual threat has passed. In that state it typically becomes difficult to get adequate sleep, offer others an appropriate level of trust, make far-sighted decisions, focus on work, or relax into play. Instead, the traumatized person swings between hyper-vigilance and shutting down.
EMDR is a phased treatment for the symptoms of trauma. EMDR promotes the adaptive processing of the overwhelming information (e.g. "I am about to die!") it was impossible to process at the time of the trauma. Whereas the undigested traumatic experience leads to a feeling of being stuck, adaptive information processing leads to a new recognition of possibilities.
The International Society of Stress Studies practice guidelines lists EMDR as an evidence-based level A treatment for PTSD in adults.
For Attachment Issues
EMDR is also helpful in resolving attachment issues--the stuckness that comes from growing up in an emotionally or otherwise threatening environment and that interferes with forming or maintaining loving relationships in adulthood.
For a detailed description of the phases of EMDR, please see the EMDRIA website:
http://emdria2.affiniscape.com/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=120
For an explanation of how EMDR leads to adaptive information processing, please see Ellen Farrell's synopsis of the theory:
http://www.ellenfarrell.com/PDF/what_is/general/emdr_information_proc.pdf
For research on trauma, please see David Baldwin's Trauma Pages: http://www.trauma-pages.com/