EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
A form of psychotherapy that is a recommended treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Structured and Evidence-Based Treatment
EMDR is a structured therapy that follows a well-defined protocol to guide individuals through the reprocessing of traumatic or distressing memories. This structured approach is backed by extensive research, with numerous studies demonstrating the effectiveness of EMDR therapy in treating a variety of mental health conditions.
EMDR therapy is grounded in the principle that traumatic or distressing memories can be reprocessed and integrated in a healthier way, reducing the emotional charge and enabling individuals to move forward. The therapy utilizes a unique approach involving guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation while the patient briefly focuses on the trauma memory.
This structured and evidence-based approach sets EMDR therapy apart as a highly effective and transformative mental health intervention. By following the EMDR protocol, therapist can help clients unlock their potential and achieve lasting healing and personal growth.
What is EMDR Therapy?
Who can benefit from EMDR therapy?
EMDR therapy helps children and adults of all ages. Therapists use EMDR therapy to address a wide range of challenges:
Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias
Chronic Illness and medical issues
Depression and bipolar disorders
Dissociative disorders
Grief and loss
Pain
Performance anxiety
Personality disorders
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other trauma and stress-related issues
Sexual assault
Sleep disturbance
Substance abuse and addiction
“The dominant theory is that the original memory is accessed, connections changed and then stored with these new modifications in a neurobiological process called “reconsolidation.”
Francine Shapiro, Ph.D. , The originator and developer of EMDR
EMDR therapy has been extensively researched and proven to be an effective psychotherapy method for helping people recover from trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Ongoing studies have also demonstrated positive clinical outcomes, showing EMDR therapy as a beneficial treatment for a range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), chronic pain, and addictions (Maxfield, 2019). In fact, EMDR therapy has even been found to be superior to the use of antidepressants, such as Prozac, in the treatment of trauma (Van der Kolk et al., 2007).
The Effectiveness of EMDR Therapy
ReferencesMaxfield, L. (2019). A clinician’s guide to the efficacy of EMDR therapy. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research [Editorial], 13(4), 239-246. Open access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/1933-3196.13.4.239Van der Kolk, B.A., Spinazzola, J., Blaustein, M.E., Hopper, J.W., Hopper, E.K., Korn, D. L., & Simpson, W.B. (2007). A randomized clinical trial of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), fluoxetine, and pill placebo in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: treatment effects and long-term maintenance. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 68(1), 37-46.
Global Reach and Proven Results
EMDR therapy has been widely adopted, with EMDR therapists in over 130 countries successfully treating millions of individuals worldwide (Shapiro & Forrest, 2016). The widespread acceptance and positive clinical outcomes of EMDR therapy have solidified its status as a transformative and highly effective mental health intervention.
Reference : Shapiro, F., & Forrest, M. S. (2016). EMDR: The breakthrough therapy for overcoming anxiety, stress, and trauma. Hachette UKHow does EMDR therapy affect the brain?
Our brains have a natural way to recover from traumatic memories and events. This process involves communication between the amygdala (the alarm signal for stressful events), the hippocampus (which assists with learning, including memories about safety and danger), and the prefrontal cortex (which analyzes and controls behavior and emotion). While many times traumatic experiences can be managed and resolved spontaneously, they may not be processed without help.
Stress responses are part of our natural fight, flight, or freeze instincts. When distress from a disturbing event remains, the upsetting images, thoughts, and emotions may create an overwhelming feeling of being back in that moment, or of being “frozen in time.” EMDR therapy helps the brain process these memories, and allows normal healing to resume. The experience is still remembered, but the fight, flight, or freeze response from the original event is resolved.
“Research has shown that about five hours of EMDR treatment eliminates PTSD in 84 to 100 percent of civilians with a single trauma experience, including rape, accident, or disaster.”
Our certified EMDR practitioner
Kate Whitehead
Certified EMDR Therapist
Psychotherapist & Counsellor BA(Warwick), MA(Sussex), MOC(Monash)
Certified TRE provider
Kate Whitehead is a psychotherapist specialising in supporting clients experiencing anxiety, stress, and trauma. Her therapeutic work is underpinned by two important things: the therapeutic relationship and evidence based psychological therapies. Both her clinical experience and research studies suggest that forming a therapeutic relationship that is open, non-judgmental, trusting and empathetic is one of the key active ingredients for effective psychological therapy. She draws on a range of approaches to support her clients, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT),Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), EMDR and TRE. She is a registered member of the British Association of Psychotherapists and Counsellors (BACP).
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EMDR - A relatively new, yet highly successful, technique for treating traumatic memories in humans is EMDR treatment. Children as well as adults of various ages can choose this choice. Even though this therapy is most commonly used to treat PTSD, further study indicates that it can also be used to treat a wide range of other conditions. Though it can’t treat all mental health conditions, this therapy method can make a big difference for people struggling with painful events in their past.
EMDR therapy is a mental health intervention. As such, it should only be offered by properly trained and licensed mental health clinicians.