EMDR is an evidenced-based therapy commonly used for treating post traumatic stress disorder or resolving distressing or troubling memories
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy)
How does EMDR work?
When a traumatic or distressing event takes place the part of the brain that processes and stores memories (the hippocampus) may not function as it usually does. This means the memory remains unprocessed and can therefore affect how people feel and perceive things in the present.
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, which involves paying attention from one side to another repetitively, (often through the use of eye movements or tapping), along with other therapeutic strategies to help the brain to process the memory. When memories are processed they are stored as historical events and their negative impact on the present day is reduced.
Why does BLS (Bilateral Stimulation) help to process memories?
The eye movements or tapping help to reduce the strong emotions associated with the memory when it is usually brought to mind.
Being able to focus on the memory whilst in a calmer state allows the hippocampus to process the memory more effectively.
I completed my EMDR training with accredited training provider EMDR Masterclass.
