EMDR works to address traumatic experiences which were too intense for the mind to process at the time and which, as a result, the memory of can be triggered and brought into the present in full-intensity. When triggered the raw, unprocessed elements of these memories (sights, sounds, thoughts and feelings) come back to life often with the intensity of the original event.
EMDR therapy is an approach that identifies and processes memories of negative and traumatic events contributing to current issues. During therapy the client will briefly accesses an unresolved memory and focus on external stimulus provided by the therapist. The stimulus may cause eye movement or be taps or tones. Usually between the intermittent stimulus associations emerge as insights, new memories and emotions. After the client reports briefly on what came to their consciousness. This feedback is explored and considered as it usually used by the therapists as the focus of attention during the next session of processing. Targets for processing during EMDR therapy are commonly past events, current triggers as well as future needs.
EMDR support for trauma and PTSD
These re-lived experiences can lead to diagnosis with post-traumatic stress disorder and it’s treatment with EMDR has been recommended by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE). EMDR therapy addresses the traumatic memory across the past, present, and future perceptions along with sensory inputs of either side to side eye movements, hand tapping and auditory tones.
