EMDR

EMDR (Eye Movement De-sensitisation and Reprocessing) is a technique which uses bilateral brain stimulation, such as eye movements, to reduce many types of emotional distress. Such distress may be caused by trauma or disturbing experiences, stress and anxiety.

How does EMDR work ?

When an individual is traumatised, they experience such strong emotions that it is thought to overwhelm the brain. Normal brain functioning or processing is interrupted and the memories of the trauma seem to become "frozen in time". The memories become locked in traumatic memory as opposed to the normal narrative memory.

EMDR helps shift the traumatic memory by accessing getting the client to access their traumatic memory while instructing them to focus on a series of eye movements. The brain is therefore led through a process of de-sensitisation until the traumatic stimulus no longer evokes a traumatic response.

Is EMDR effective ?

Research studies have shown that EMDR can markedly accelerate the healing process after a traumatic experience and that the effects are long lasting. In fact, there are now more scientifically controlled studies on the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorders with EMDR than with any other form of psychological treatment. EMDR is now also used for problems other than trauma.

Therapists trained in using EMDR practicing at The Heath:

Felix Economakis

Vanessa Schelderup

EMDR Practitioners at The Heath Mind Body Therapies London NW3; EMDR West Hampstead; EMDR NW3; EMDR Camden;