Getting to know EMDR therapy: A patient-centered guide

Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapy that uses eye movements or bilateral stimulation to help the brain process and reduce the impact of traumatic memories and emotional distress. Leading clinical psychologist and psychotherapist Dr Eva Maiwald provides the answers to your questions about EMDR.

What is EMDR?

EMDR, or eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing, is a therapy method that has been proven effective, especially for treating PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). Many people find relief after just a few sessions. Recently, research has shown that EMDR can also help with a variety of other issues such as:

• Complex trauma.
• Anxiety (including panic attacks, social anxiety, phobias, and health anxiety).
• Chronic pain.
• Insomnia.
• Emotional blockages.
• Performance anxiety.
• Depression.
• Relationship problems (attachment styles, trust issues, fear of abandonment).
• Personality disorders like borderline personality disorder (BPD).

How does EMDR work?

EMDR targets brain processes directly. Through rapid eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation, similar to what happens during REM sleep, the brain enters a processing mode. This helps activate associations and eventually dissolves the feeling of being stuck or blocked.

Combining therapies for better results

Different forms of EMDR can also be combined with EFT (emotional freedom techniques). This combination can create a powerful and quick pathway to emotional healing. Attachment-focused EMDR is particularly effective for issues such as OCD, depression, and deep-rooted anxiety.

Improving relationships with EMDR

EMDR can help change unhelpful relationship patterns, often linked to attachment styles. The flash technique is a new and gentle method for targeting traumatic memories quickly and effectively. As a registered practitioner of The Flash Technique, I utilize this method to help clients.

Boosting self-esteem with EMDR

Addressing a critical inner voice through talk therapy alone can be challenging. EMDR techniques can reach those deep-seated beliefs and help improve self-esteem and reduce self-criticism.

Building resilience with EMDR

EMDR doesn’t just focus on trauma and blockages. It also aims to strengthen your resilience and belief in yourself. This approach is particularly useful for overcoming social anxiety, OCD-related fears, and the avoidance behaviours linked to PTSD and complex trauma.

EMDR for couples

Couples often experience conflicts fuelled by each partner's past experiences and automatic responses. EMDR can be a valuable tool in couples therapy to address these intense emotional reactions and improve relationship dynamics.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about how EMDR can help you, do not hesitate to do so booking a consultation with Dr Maiwald via her Top Doctors profile