Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a well-researched and successful treatment, used to help those who have suffered trauma of all kinds, including: bullying, accidents, abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder.
When a person is involved in a distressing event, they may feel overwhelmed and their brain may be unable to process the information as it would a normal memory. It’s as if the distressing memory has become frozen and when the person recalls it, they can re-experience what they saw, felt, heard, tasted or smelt. Sometimes the memories are so disturbing that the person tries to avoid thinking about the original event(s).
During EMDR, the distressing memories appear to lose their intensity and disturbing qualities, and they become more like ‘ordinary’ memories. The effect is believed to be similar to that which occurs naturally during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, when your eyes move rapidly from side to side.
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing. It is NOT a form of hypnotism. Even though you are moving your eyes during EMDR, you will remain conscious and fully in control at all times.