WHAT IS EMDR?

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Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is type of psychotherapy which has 8 phases and is included in several evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of  Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), phobias, anxiety disorders and other distressing life events.  The person receiving treatment is asked to recall distressing images and is then directed by the therapist to do a series of eye movements or hand tapping motions know as bilateral stimulation. EMDR is based on the principle that negative thoughts, feelings and behaviour are the result of unprocessed memories. These unprocessed traumatic memories are stored in the stem brain also known as the “Reptile Brain” this part of the brain deals with protecting us when under threat for example, our fight, flight or freeze responses. The human brains way of processing memories and events is during Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep but some traumas and life experience haven’t managed to be processed during REM sleep, they can result in flashbacks, phobias and irrational fears. EMDR produces a brain state similar to that of REM by stimulating the left and right brain hemispheres which then fires up the brains natural healing process allow the traumatic memory to be reprocessed and less intense and disturbing

 

What is the connection between EMDR and Hypnotherapy?

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Both Hypnotherapy and EMDR are therapies that promote the transformation of negative feelings, thoughts and emotions by replacing them with new positive ones, creating healthier mindsets. However, EMDR and Hypnotherapy are totally different therapies that can be used either on their own or as a combined therapy.

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