EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a specific processing therapy that helps people resolve painful memories by reducing their distress associated with traumatic experiences and disturbing life events.  It has also been found to be helpful with a multitude of other issues including but not limited to childhood abuse, sleep problems, complicated grief, addictions, self-esteem, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, stress reduction, phobias and chronic pain.
 

When a trauma occurs, it seems to get locked in the brain with the original picture, sounds, thoughts. bodily sensations and emotions.  When it is unprocessed or unresolved, it sits in the brain frozen or stuck in the brain’s limbic system ready to be activated whenever something reminds you of what happened.  After processing, you will still remember the trauma or incident, but the distress and associated bodily feelings will not be present so you will no longer be triggered.  Clients report that their symptoms lessen, and more positive thoughts come to mind, leaving them to feel happier and more confident to manage stressful situations.

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EMDR helps heal trauma by harnessing the brain’s natural information processing system.  Processing is achieved by using a structured 8-phase treatment approach.  Bilateral stimulation is used to facilitate the trauma processing by being guided through eye movements, audio tones or by experiencing bi-lateral hand stimulation, whilst also being guided through key components of the trauma and associated feelings in order to allow the brain to process the information completely.  The eye movements we use seem to unlock the system and allow the brain to process the experience.  It’s believed to be similar to what happens in REM or dream sleep.  The eye movements can help to process the unconscious material. 

When processing is complete the memory will be more distant, harder to recall and you will be able to talk about it without distress.  Post therapy you may continue to process for up to 48 hours.   The best thing about EMDR is that you don't have to give lengthy accounts of the trauma or focus on it for lengthy periods of time and multiple similar issues can be addressed in just one session making treatment rapid in conparison with conventional therapies.   Processing can be done both in person and on-line making it very accessible to all.