You might have heard of EMDR therapy before, but what exactly is it? EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing, is a type of therapy that can help people manage and cope with difficult memories or experiences – it’s an incredibly effective tool for treating PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
EMDR therapy in Sydney works by having the patient recall a traumatic memory while simultaneously receiving bilateral stimulation through eye movements, auditory tones, or taps. The idea is that the brain will process the information differently when it is presented in this way.
How does EMDR work?
It’s still not entirely clear how EMDR works, but there are a few theories. One theory suggests that bilateral stimulation accessing both sides of the brain helps to integrate the experience into the person's existing schema.
Another theory posits that the brain has a natural healing process called adaptive information processing - this means that when we experience something negative, our brains will naturally try to make sense of it and file it away in a way that won't overwhelm us. Sometimes, however, this process gets stuck - that's where EMDR therapy comes in. By providing bilateral stimulation, we are essentially jumpstarting the healing process so that we can deal with the memory in a more constructive way.
What are some of the benefits of EMDR?
EMDR has been shown to be an effective treatment for PTSD, anxiety, and depression. In fact, multiple studies have found that EMDR can be more effective than traditional talking therapies like CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy). Not only does EMDR seem to relieve symptoms more effectively, but the effects also seem to last longer. EMDR can also help people who have experienced other traumas such as natural disasters or car accidents.
Is EMDR therapy the right avenue for you?
If you have difficulty coping with a difficult experience, EMDR therapy may be an appropriate avenue for helping you process this trauma in a healthier way. At the very least, it’s worth raising the subject with your doctor or psychologist for advice on whether this form of treatment might be helpful for you.
