EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing), was initially developed to use for people suffering with PTSD, (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) following events in their lives e.g. a road traffic accident, sudden bereavement.  In March 2005 EMDR was validated by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) as a first line treatment of choice for PTSD.  EMDR is a psychotherapeutic treatment used in conjunction with traditional models of psychotherapy and counselling.

 

EMDR is now widely used for people suffering from traumatic events / disturbing memories / debilitating future fears/ addictive behaviours/ overwhelming grief/ physical, sexual and emotional abuse/ anxiety/ eating disorders/ natural disasters/pain relief and more.

 

EMDR therapy works with memory networks.  Memories can be stored within our mind in different ways. Some traumatic experiences are stored with the emotions and body sensations that were part of the event. When the memory is recalled it brings with it the pain and discomfort of the past event. By reprocessing those experiences with the use of EMDR, the way the memory is stored can change. The aim of the therapy is for the person to be able to recall those difficult events without feeling all the pain and discomfort. This can support change for the person in their current day to day life experiences. EMDR can work upon the past, present and future events.