Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Àṣẹ Center for Stress and Trauma offers virtual EMDR therapy to North Carolina residents. For non-therapy services, EMDR strategies may be incorporated.
What is EMDR therapy?
EMDR is a therapeutic modality that uses the mind-body-brain link to change negative beliefs that impact your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Initially developed to treat PTSD, EMDR has since been found to be helpful with other conditions and concerns.
Does EMDR therapy work?
Research has found that EMDR may be helpful for the following:
- PTSD symptoms
- anxiety
- panic disorders
- phobias
- physical symptoms linked to mental health
- depression
- complex childhood trauma
What is EMDR therapy like?
EMDR therapy is a multi-step process which involve gathering information, developing a plan, learning strategies to help manage potential reactions, processing the experiences that have impacted you using bilateral stimulation, weakening negative beliefs and strengthening positive beliefs. A major component of EMDR therapy is bilateral stimulation (e.g., therapist will have you move your eyes left to right) which is used strategically to help weaken negative beliefs and strengthen positive beliefs. There is no defined time frame for each step and sometimes all steps are not needed.
*References:
- The Efficacy of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing in Children and Adults Who Have Experienced Complex Childhood Trauma: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
- Psychological treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder in adults: a network meta-analysis
- Treatment efficacy and effectiveness in adults with major depressive disorder and childhood trauma history: a systematic review and meta-analysis
- EMDR as Treatment Option for Conditions Other Than PTSD: A Systematic Review
- Trauma-focused treatments for depression. A systematic review and meta-analysis
- Efficacy of Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing for Patients with Posttraumatic-Stress Disorder: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Versus Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Adult Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- EMDR beyond PTSD: A Systematic Literature Review