27 Jan EMDR: what is it?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing. Eye movements to desensitize and reprocess information. In the 1980’s Francine Shapiro, an American psychologist and researcher, discovered a very simple way to treat various symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder by stimulating the nervous system through eye movements.
During a traumatic event, the brain is unable to encode information correctly in a way that would allow the memory to digest, store and file it away. Thus, in certain cases images and feelings are always present in the mind, in an obsessive way. Rather quickly, this becomes crippling for the person on a daily basis. Somatization is often the consequence of one or more repeated traumas. Anxieties, phobias, depression, lack of self-esteem, addictions, failures at school, in love, in one’s profession. Following this trauma, this emotional shock, we unconsciously develop negative beliefs that limit us in our desire to evolve.
We suffer the consequences of this moment throughout our lives. EMDR therapy allows us to reconnect with the memory associated with the feeling and then to dissociate from it. Most of the time, the brain carries out this dissociation process spontaneously. It’s a powerful defense mechanism that works well for a while, but it is only a decoy and without treating the trauma at its root, this protection can fall at any moment a similar situation or context occurs in our lives. Therapeutic support allows us to free ourselves permanently by modifying this program.
What are the disorders treated with EMDR?
Physical and psychological abuse
Sexual assault
Harassment at school or in the workplace
Accident
Attacks
Grief
All these situations can be experienced as both direct victims or witnesses.
The process
During the first session, the practitioner gathers information to clearly and precisely identify the memory or memories at the origin of the problem. There may be several memories to treat and it is best to start from the oldest one. The treatment of a memory can take place over one or more sessions depending on the person and the trauma or on the blocking behavior in place. To know if you are receptive to this technique, you have to try it. Everyone is potentially receptive but sometimes resistance can be triggered in our defensive systems. The therapeutic alliance established between the practitioner and the patient is a guarantee of success for the removal of these resistances.
The results
When the treatment is over, the person no longer feels disturbed anytime the memory is evoked. They can recognize the trauma and talk about it serenely as an event that happened in their life and that is part of their history. They think of it with more detachment, as they have recognized the reality of it without being emotionally involved. There is no longer any resonance with everyday situations that previously could be blocking. The fear is significantly reduced or simply disappears.
Who practices EMDR?
A practitioner trained in the technique will be able to support you in the process of healing and liberation. EMDR is complementary to Hypnosis.
For more information and to set an appointment
Laurence DELINOT
EMDR Hypnosis Practitioner