EMDR

[TheCoalMiner]

Can someone tell me anything abut EMDR

[Nathalie99 Partner]

Hi TheCoalMiner,

Welcome to the community.

Here is some basic information about EMDR:

emdr.com/what-is-emdr/

"EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences. Repeated studies show that by using EMDR therapy people can experience the benefits of psychotherapy that once took years to make a difference. It is widely assumed that severe emotional pain requires a long time to heal. EMDR therapy shows that the mind can in fact heal from psychological trauma much as the body recovers from physical trauma. When you cut your hand, your body works to close the wound. If a foreign object or repeated injury irritates the wound, it festers and causes pain. Once the block is removed, healing resumes. EMDR therapy demonstrates that a similar sequence of events occurs with mental processes. The brain’s information processing system naturally moves toward mental health. If the system is blocked or imbalanced by the impact of a disturbing event, the emotional wound festers and can cause intense suffering. Once the block is removed, healing resumes. Using the detailed protocols and procedures learned in EMDR therapy training sessions, clinicians help clients activate their natural healing processes."

I haven't had it even though I wanted to but I hear it's helpful. I had somatic experiencing that has been helpful in my healing.

[Marnie22 Volunteer]

Hi! I was coming to the end of a course of EMDR when the sessions were interrupted by the coronavirus situation.

I was referred to have EMDR by my GP after seeing a neuropsychologist.

There is a lot of assessment and preparatory work before the actual EMDR sessions begin. You are taught strategies for dealing with whatever comes up in sessions and in between sessions. EMDR carries on working subconsciously between sessions. It is extremely exhausting, but (for me) amazingly effective. Before I started I felt as though I was living inside the trauma and drowning in it. It was overwhelming me. EMDR allows the brain to reprocess the trauma and put it into a different part of the brain where it can still be remembered, but without it flooding over you.

It's one of the best experiences I have ever had.

Because of the way things are stored in the brain, you need to be prepared for the fact that other memories that you were not looking to target may arise during sessions. A good trauma focused therapist will be able to prepare you for this. I have been seeing the head psychologist at my local mental health services and she has been wonderful.

I hope this is of some help. Please feel free to ask any questions you might have, I will answer them if I can.

🙂🌸

[Hidden in reply to Marnie22]

I hope to start this therapy when the pandemic ends. Would you know if it helps to process guilt and shame? Thank you.