EMDR Specialist

Eye Movement Desensitization and reprocessing, commonly known as EMDR therapy, has been accepted by the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association and the Veteran’s Administration as an effective and recommended treatment for trauma. It is one of the most well researched therapies available for helping individuals who have experienced traumatic events. EMDR is used in a variety of therapeutic settings worldwide for the treatment of trauma.

A well respected form of psychotherapy, EMDR is an information processing technique used to diminish distress caused by exposure to traumatic events. EMDR focuses on retrieving, processing and resolving past experiences that continue to negatively affect an individual’s life. Symptoms such as overwhelming emotion, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, anxiety and the physiological symptoms of fear are reduced or eliminated by this treatment. EMDR accesses past trauma, the triggers that cause distress in the present and the thoughts and emotions that accompany and cause distress to continue. It helps an individual understand and gain control over the ways in which past traumatic experiences impact everyday functioning. 

Most that are treated with EMDR experience significant and lasting relief from trauma symptoms. EMDR is a structured protocol of interventions used by an EMDR specialist who has received intensive training in the use of the technique. Clinicians that practice EMDR typically have a background in other psychological and therapeutic techniques as well. Their education, licensing and certifications include a wide range of approaches and they come from all disciplines that prepare therapists for a mental health practice. These can include psychiatry, psychology, expressive therapies and other related fields that specialize in the treatment of children, adolescents and adults who have experienced trauma. Whatever the overall educational background of a clinician that uses EMDR, each licensed practitioner has completed specialized training in the use of this therapy and continues to receive ongoing education to keep abreast of new developments in the use of this technique.

Due to its effectiveness in the treatment of trauma, many clinicians who treat individuals with PTSD and other trauma-related conditions practice this technique. Those trauma specialists who do not are commonly familiar with EMDR and are supportive of its use. Referrals may be done in order to supplement ongoing therapy or, in some instances, may become the primary treatment used to address trauma reactions.

EMDR therapy occurs in a series of sessions that progress through distinct phases facilitated by the therapist. This process begins with an interview done by the EMDR practitioner in order to prepare for the sessions that follow. The therapist will gather information about the symptoms of distress experienced currently, the history of related difficulties, one’s current support system, coping skills and any other problems that may be affecting the quality of life. Next, the therapist and client will identify goals for treatment and collaborate to create an individualized treatment plan tailored to meet an individual’s specific needs. The goals of EMDR that are established in the treatment plan target physiological and psychological reactions to trauma that are currently causing distress. Experiential techniques are then used over a series of sessions in which the underlying causes of distress are elicited and resolved. For more information visit the site http://selfbetter.com/