Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a relatively new form of psychotherapy, and an effective treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The discovery of EMDR

EMDR as a therapy for PTSD was first described in 1989 by its founder Francine Shapiro. During a walk in the park, Francine Shapiro accidentally discovered how quick horizontal eye movements could take the edge off unpleasant memories, or even a full-blown trauma and help a person coming to terms with their memories or trauma.

EMDR, effective therapy for traumatised Vietnam Veterans

After much experimentation amongst her fellow psychology students, Francine Shapiro decided to test her new therapy with Vietnam veterans who, after decades, were still struggling with their war trauma. The results were astounding. These men, who could not successfully be treated with conventional forms of psychotherapy which included a lot of talking, made rapid progress with EMDR and were ultimately able to finally live a normal and fulfilling life after all these years of being plagued by the trauma and the flashbacks of what happened back in Vietnam.

What happens during an EMDR Session

During a typical EMDR therapy session, the therapist will ask the client to bring to mind a painful memory or trauma. However, instead of talking about the trauma, the therapist will distract the client by moving her hands in front of the client’s eyes at an approximate distance of 30 cm (12 inches). The therapist will ask the client to follow her hand with his eyes. After one set of about 25 movements, the client gets to relax for a moment, before being asked about any thoughts, feelings and memories that come to mind. Then, a second set of movements is offered in the same way as the first one.

Effectiveness of EMDR in Scientific Research

Randomised scientific research proved that EMDR is a very effective treatment for PTSD, and although EMDR has been subject to a lot of criticism during the nineties of the previous century, the APA now recommends EMDR as one of the first choice therapies for PTSD. Scientific research comparing EMDR to Imaginary Exposure and Cognitive Restructuring (another first choice treatment for PTSD) proved that EMDR is even more effective than cognitive-behavioural therapy, and these differences in effectiveness remain even after 15 months after the trauma therapy has ended.

How does EMDR work?

Although a lot of research has been done to discover how exactly EMDR works, it still remains unclear how EMDR works and why it is so effective. Its founder Francine Shapiro assumes that the rapid eye movements free up the clients unprocessed memories of the trauma and help the human brain processing them at an accelerated rate.

EMDR and other psychological disorders

Although EMDR is primarily intended as a treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, it may also be successful in treating other psychological disorders. Clients suffering from other stress- and anxiety related disorders, such as depression, may benefit from EMDR, but only if their problems are rooted in a trauma or other psychologically damaging experience.