Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR)

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by Dr Becky Spelman on October 14, 2021

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Many psychological problems originate in trauma or other painful memories, such as assault, sexual assault, child abuse, and so forth. When trauma remains unresolved, it can lead to a variety of distressing symptoms, including panic attacks, anxiety, stress, and more. These can all have a very serious impact on your psychological health and your quality of life.

Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) was originally developed to treat people suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It can also treat a range of issues that originate in trauma or stress. This is done by tackling a neurological feature of stress; using rapid eye movements similar to the eye movements which occur while people are dreaming during REM sleep. By focusing on bringing these rapid eye movements about during waking hours, we can “tap in” to the neurological pathways that formed around the cause of distress, and help the brain to learn a new way to react. This is a proven technique to treat a wide range of psychological disorders, particularly related to anxiety.

What to expect with EMDR

Your therapist will discuss your problems with you, explore their origin, and develop a plan to help you to learn a new way to respond to distressing memories. Over the next few sessions, they will help you by applying the EMDR (eye movement desensitization reprocessing) technique to reduce stress while asking you to think of things that evoke the traumatic event or events in your past. During this process, your therapist will carry out procedures using eye movements that will train your brain to react differently to these painful memories. While eye movements are most commonly used, tapping or sounds can also be used and work in the same way. Over time, you will experience a reduction in distress when you think about the difficult or traumatic things that have happened to you.
What can EMDR Help with?
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Anxiety Disorders – Phobias, Social anxiety
- Weight Loss
- Low Self-Esteem
How can I get Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy in London?

If you would like to talk to someone about eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, please get in touch with us at the Private Therapy Clinic by telephone at: +442038872866 or book online.