How does EMDR therapy work?

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 analyses and controls behaviour 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.

EMDR is endorsed by NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence)

 

Who can benefit from EMDR therapy?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although the video above regards children

EMDR Therapy helps children, adolescents and adults of all ages.

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Therapists use EMDR to address a wide range of challenges:

 

• Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias (school anxiety)

• Chronic Illness and medical issues

• Depression and bipolar disorders

• Dissociative disorders

• Eating disorders

• Grief and loss

• Pain

• Performance anxiety

• Personality disorders

• PTSD and other trauma and stress-related issues (childhood neglect and trauma)

• Sexual assault

• Sleep disturbance

• Substance abuse and addiction

• Violence and abuse