Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a mental health therapy technique designed to help individuals heal from trauma or distressing life experiences. EDMR was developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s and is primarily used to treat trauma-related disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and phobias. It can also be used to treat non-trauma-related issues, such as performance anxiety or grief. EMDR draws from various psychological theories, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic principles, and information processing models.The bilateral stimulation used during sessions is thought to mimic the rapid eye movement (REM) phase of sleep, facilitating memory consolidation and adaptive processing.
EDMR focuses on facilitating the brain’s natural healing process, similar to how a physical wound on the body would heal. During an EMDR session, the individual recalls traumatic memories while following a side-to-side visual stimulus (often guided by the therapist). This bilateral stimulation helps process the memories and reduce their impact on daily functioning. EMDR involves several phases, including history-taking, preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation of positive beliefs, and body scan.
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