EMDR is a psychotherapy treatment that can be used to treat trauma and other adverse life experiences.
EMDR was initially developed to treat adults with PTSD but now has been further developed to treat trauma and PTSD in children as well.
What is EMDR?
Negative experiences can sometimes remain in our memory and start to dominate our daily lives, resulting the need of assistances in order to help ourselves move smoothly again.
EMDR is a therapy that helps reprocess the negative memories so that they become more coherent and less disruptive.
EMDR uses an 8 phase approach whereby during the first therapy session, the therapist and the client would identify an unresolved memory.
The therapy involves the client to focus on three different time periods which are the past, present and future.
The client has to focus on their past disturbing event, distressing moment they are currently enduring and learning skills and attitudes needed for positive future actions.
These would be addressed in an 8 phase treatment approach. The treatment phase varies with clients and their situation.
EMDR for Panic Disorder
During the treatment of panic disorder, the therapist would discuss with the client the thoughts that trigger their panic attacks. The therapist would ask the client to bring their attention to those thoughts and keep in mind the physical sensation that would arise during the panic attack.
EMDR works towards breaking any association that one has between the circumstances and symptoms.
EMDR would also help the client to work on their anxiety that is part of the panic attack.
For example, if one gets panic attacks whilst driving, thus the thought of driving brings about anxiety, EMDR would help the person remain calm before driving and feel safe on the roads.
The therapist would assign homework such as practicing relaxation techniques and visualisation.
EMDR for Complex PTSD
Complex PTSD is a result of long term exposure, repeated traumatic events or attachment injuries during childhood.
Most often this trauma is interpersonal, such as an individual who has experienced chronic neglect, abuse or has been exposed to domestic violence.
It’s important to know that chronic trauma can also be related to ongoing unprotected bulling, unsupported disability or unadvocated discrimination.
In all forms of Complex PTSD, the injury had been inflicted repetitively over a long period of time and has been increasing. Often this trauma had been inflicted during childhood or adolescence during a period of development.
EMDR works on the clients development of self, where the therapist would work on the clients emotion and vulnerable sensation in a safe way.
Further information on EMDR can be found at the EMDR Association of Australia.
FILED UNDER: PSYCHOLOGY TAGGED WITH: ANXIETY, PANIC ATTACK, PSYCHOLOGIST, PTSD POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER, TOOLS, TREATMENT
