I was helping some one else here on PC to have a better understanding of EMDR and when I was through I thought others might benefit from the INFO that I gathered.... so here it is - Good Luck.

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EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

EMDR, a remarkable treatment method discovered 14 years ago, currently used by over 40,000 therapists worldwide, can heal the symptoms of trauma, as well as other emotional conditions and dramatically enhance performance and creativity. Extensive scientific research has shown that it is the most effective and rapid method for healing PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

Unique to EMDR is its use of bilateral stimulation, either left/right eye movement, sound or tactile stimulation, which repeatedly activates the opposite sides of the brain. This helps the neurophysiological system, the basis of the mind/body connection, to free itself of blockages and reconnect itself.

EMDR therapists have successfully healed over a million people suffering from PTSD stemming from serious accidents, rape, muggings, the murder or suicide of a loved one, terrorism, torture, military combat and natural disasters in as little as one to three extended sessions, as opposed to the months and years other treatments usually require to treat this condition. Although considerably more time is necessary, EMDR is also remarkably effective in the treatment of adults who have been traumatized by ongoing mental, physical and sexual abuse in childhood.

A performer or athlete suffering from performance anxiety and loss of confidence show the same neurological effects found in those suffering a traumatic event. EMDR resolves these performance inhibitions in the same rapid, effective manner as with trauma and achieves astonishing results in performance and creative enhancement with athletes, actors, performers, artists, and writers.

EMDR has direct application to almost every human situation, including phobias ( social anxiety, fear of public speaking or flying), depression, dissociation, OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), overeating, anger management, low self-esteem and body distortions, as well as bodily manifestations of stress (head, stomach and backaches). EMDR is also a valuable tool in addressing the family traumas of divorce, illness or death of a loved one, financial crisis, alcohol and drug abuse by parent or child and family violence.

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Eight Phases of Treatment - EMDR

The first phase is a history taking session during which the therapist assesses the client's readiness for EMDR and develops a treatment plan. Client and therapist identify possible targets for EMDR processing. These include recent distressing events, current situations that elicit emotional disturbance, related historical incidents, and the development of specific skills and behaviors that will be needed by the client in future situations.

During the second phase of treatment, the therapist ensures that the client has adequate methods of handling emotional distress and good coping skills, and that the client is in a relatively stable state. If further stabilization is required, or if additional skills are needed, therapy focuses on providing these. The client is then able to use stress reducing techniques whenever necessary, during or between sessions. However, one goal is not to need these techniques once therapy is complete.

In phase three through six, a target is identified and processed using EMDR procedures. These involve the client identifying the most vivid visual image related to the memory (if available), a negative belief about self, related emotions and body sensations. The client also identifies a preferred positive belief. The validity of the positive belief is rated, as is the intensity of the negative emotions.

After this, the client is instructed to focus on the image, negative thought, and body sensations while simultaneously moving his/her eyes back and forth following the therapist's fingers as they move across his/her field of vision for 20-30 seconds or more, depending upon the need of the client. Although eye movements are the most commonly used external stimulus, therapists often use auditory tones, tapping, or other types of tactile stimulation. The kind of dual attention and the length of each set is customized to the need of the client. The client is instructed to just notice whatever happens. After this, the clinician instructs the client to let his/her mind go blank and to notice whatever thought, feeling, image, memory, or sensation comes to mind. Depending upon the client's report the clinician will facilitate the next focus of attention. In most cases a client-directed association process is encouraged. This is repeated numerous times throughout the session. If the client becomes distressed or has difficulty with the process, the therapist follows established procedures to help the client resume processing. When the client reports no distress related to the targeted memory, the clinician asks him/her to think of the preferred positive belief that was identified at the beginning of the session, or a better one if it has emerged, and to focus on the incident, while simultaneously engaging in the eye movements. After several sets, clients generally report increased confidence in this positive belief. The therapist checks with the client regarding body sensations. If there are negative sensations, these are processed as above. If there are positive sensations, they are further enhanced.

In phase seven, closure, the therapist asks the client to keep a journal during the week to document any related material that may arise and reminds the client of the self-calming activities that were mastered in phase two.

The next session begins with phase eight, re-evaluation of the previous work, and of progress since the previous session. EMDR treatment ensures processing of all related historical events, current incidents that elicit distress, and future scenarios that will require different responses. The overall goal is produce the most comprehensive and profound treatment effects in the shortest period of time, while simultaneously maintaining a stable client within a balanced system.

After EMDR processing, clients generally report that the emotional distress related to the memory has been eliminated, or greatly decreased, and that they have gained important cognitive insights. Importantly, these emotional and cognitive changes usually result in spontaneous behavioral and personal change, which are further enhanced with standard EMDR procedures.

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Francine Shapiro, Ph.D.
* She is the originator and developer of EMDR
* Senior Research Fellow at the Mental Research Institute, Palo Alto, California.
* She serves as Executive Director of the EMDR Institute in Pacific Grove, California
* President Emeritus of the EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Programs

FRANCINE SHAPIRO, Ph.D.
PO Box 750, Watsonville, CA 95077
Tel: (831) 761-1040 Fax: (831) 761-1204
Email: inst@emdr.com

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LoVe,
Rhapsody - (((( hugs ))))