Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing (EMDR) treats trauma.
The National Institute for Health & Care Excellence recognises EMDR is very effective in treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Emerging evidence also shows how EMDR can treat anxiety and depression, as well as help with grief, phobias, panic disorders and pain.
EMDR is one of our therapeutic approaches. Our fully accredited EMDR practitioner, Dr Andrea Shortland* will assess whether you, your child, family or client requires EMDR as part of treatment.
If EMDR is recommended, Andrea will explain the approach as part of the preparation work for treatment. During treatment, once you feel comfortable, and ready, you will be typically asked to visualise part of the trauma in detail. At the same time you are visualising this, you will be experiencing other stimulation. This stimulation might include: watching an object move from side to side; tapping alternative hands; or hearing different noises in each ear.
As part of the process you will see changes in how you visualise, think and feel about the traumatic incident.
If you would like further information about EMDR please visit www.emdr.org.uk. For children, teenagers and their carers here is a short animation to explain EMDR and its benefits.
*This means Dr Andrea Shortland has completed EMDR training which involved a period of supervised practice and being approved by a board as being competent to deliver EMDR. Her status can be checked on www.emdr.org.uk
This podcast provides a great explanation of EMDR.
During an interview with Shane Meadows in the Guardian, he speaks positively about his experiences of EMDR.