EMDR, which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is an internationally recognised treatment for reprocessing memories of traumatic events that have negative consequences on the daily life of the person concerned. This treatment was created by US psychologist, Francine Shapiro.
According to this model, incorrectly processed traumatic information can cause a range of symptoms: from anxiety, to intrusive flashbacks, as well as nightmares that have major repercussions on daily life, preventing us from living freely and peacefully. When people experience traumas that are not properly reprocessed, they may develop avoidance behaviour, experience difficulties in their interpersonal relationships and feel emotionally destabilised. EMDR can be used to tackle both PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and anxiety symptoms caused by trauma.
Traumatic memories may involve major catastrophic events (earthquakes, hurricanes, etc.), traffic accidents, and events during which the person felt his or her integrity was threatened, but also events that occurred during childhood involving repeated physical or verbal ill-treatment, abuse and neglect. The findings of studies conducted by Bessel Van Der Kolk make it clear that traumatic childhood experiences can have very important repercussions not only during the various stages of growth but also during adult life.
EMDR treatment starts with a thorough understanding of the patient, the problem he or she is experiencing and the meaning the person attaches to the traumatic event in relation to himself or herself. After gathering the relevant data, we move on to treatment, through bilateral eye movements stimulated by the therapist, starting with the construction of a ‘Safe Place’. After this construction, we then proceed to stimulate the memory of the trauma to be reprocessed, also by means of alternating drumming (tapping).
EMDR treatment helps to improve awareness of oneself and events, to control one’s emotions better and react in a more balanced way when faced with situations that recall traumatic memories. It also helps to cope better with highly stressful events in the future, thus improving personal and relational well-being.
EMDR is an integrative therapy approach that is proven to be effective on PTSD symptoms and traumatic events in general. This treatment is based on the AIP (Adaptive Processing Interaction) model, which uses stimulation to activate the brain’s natural ability to reprocess information in a more organised way to turn this information into memories that are no longer disturbing.