FAQs: EMDR
What is EMDR?
EMDR is a trauma processing therapy, based on how the brain stores and processes memory.
It’s been used effectively for over 30 years in a variety of international settings and cultures with many different issues including complex PTSD.
Why use an EMDRAA accredited practitioner?
EMDRAA is the EMDR Association of Australia. It exists to ensure and maintain high standards of practice in EMDR. EMDR, is a complex therapy requiring a high level of skill and the learning of detailed knowledge.
It is your guarantee that the therapist hasn’t just read a book on EMDR or just had an hour or two’s training and as unfortunately some can be found oadvertising EMDR.
What can it be used for?
In addition to PTSD, I can use EMDR for:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Grief and loss.
- Dissociative disorders
- Eating disorders
- Sexual or Physical abuse
- Performance anxiety
- Stress reduction
- Phobias
How does it work?
Often disturbing events happen in our lives that stay with us. An event can become ‘stuck in time’ and remembering the trauma may feel as bad as going through it for the first time. The images, sounds, smells and feelings still seem to be there, unchanged. The memory has a lasting negative effect that interferes with the way you see the world and relate to people.
EMDR changes the memory from feeling its happening “now” to being in the past. You no longer relive the trauma. You can still recall that an incident happened, but it no longer has the emotional distress or the negative self beliefs you’ve been carrying around.
How many sessions will I need?
The number of session depends on what’s distressing you and what you want to work on.
The first session is always an assessment. I will explain the EMDR process and we can agree the way forward.
Session two is history gathering and preparation. I’ll also teach you ways to control emotional distress and panic attacks.
Session three onwards is processing the traumatic memories. Be very cautious if a therapist says they do processing on day one. EMDR is a powerful therapy and a proven process.
Why EMDR?
- Many experts believe other therapies can re-traumatise clients.
- EMDR gets results in a much shorter timeframe.
- EMDR does not require repeated exposure to traumatic memories.
- EMDR does not require you to do written homework.
- Less distressful than exposure therapy for many clients
- Clients do not have to talk in detail about their trauma.
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Is it evidenced based?
EMDR is one of the most researched therapies for PTSD. Over 20 controlled clinical studies have found EMDR to effectively decrease or eliminate the symptoms of PTSD for the majority of clients and it is more efficient.
The Australian Psychological Society (APS) has recently noted EMDR the highest rating therapy for PTSD1.
1 Evidence-Based Psychological Interventions: A Literature Review’ (2010) for both young people and adults
Have additional questions?
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