Eye Movement and Desensitisation & Reprocessing (EMDR) is a highly effective treatment for psychological distress following traumatic experiences. It focuses on processing traumatic thoughts, feelings and physiology to develop an adaptive understanding of the event thus reducing symptoms. The individual accesses the traumatic memory and by using eye movements or bilateral stimulation moves the fragmented information into the thinking brain that is better able to make sense of the experience.
EMDR therapy uses a 3 pronged approach:
- Past events are explored to understand the roots of the current distress
- Current dysfunction is targeted to relieve symptoms and triggers
- Future templates are developed to support adaptive responses to potential distressing situations
