You've probably heard about it but what do you actually know about it? Read on for more information...
In 1987, the creator of EMDR, France Shapiro, was walking in the park when she realized that eye movements appeared to decrease the negative emotion associated with her own distressing memories1,2. She assumed that eye movements had a desensitizing effect, and when she experimented with this she found that others also had the same response to eye movements.
EMDR is based on the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, that posits that experiences are automatically connected to memory networks. As such, experiences are linked to existing perceptions, behaviors, and attitudes. The incoming sensory information is processed and connected to existing memory networks. Emotional distress or problems arise when memories or events are associated in non-helpful ways, or are not fully processed
EMDR uses an 8 phase protocol, which accesses these traumatic memories and assists a more adaptive memory association to form (using your innate healing ability). Through the EMDR process, associations and memories linked with maladaptive negative cognitions are explored, and more adaptive, positive cognitions emerge, such as “I am valuable,” or “I did my best.”
EMDR therapy is not complete until attention has been brought to the past memories contributing to the problem, the disturbing present situations, and what skills the client may need for the future.
The EMDR International Association have put together this informative video to illustrate what it's all about.
©Copyright. All rights reserved
We need your consent to load the translations
We use a third-party service to translate the website content that may collect data about your activity. Please review the details and accept the service to view the translations.