Dr. Susan Jacob has been successfully utilizing EMDR for when it is
appropriate since 1999.
EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an
integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and
proven effective for the treatment of trauma. EMDR is a set of
standardized protocols that incorporate elements from many different
treatment approaches. To date, EMDR therapy has helped millions of people of
all ages relieve many types of psychological stress.
How does EMDR work?
No one knows how any form of psychotherapy works neurobiologically or in the
brain. However, we do know that when a person is very upset, their brain
cannot process information as it does ordinarily. One moment becomes "frozen
in time," and remembering a trauma may feel as bad as going through it the
first time because the images, sounds, smells and feelings haven't changed.
Such memories have a lasting negative effect that interferes with the way a
person sees the world and the way they relate to other people.
EMDR seems to have a direct effect on the way that the brain processes
information. Normal information processing is resumed, so following a
successful EMDR session, a person no longer relives the images, sounds, and
feelings when the event is brought to mind. You still remember what
happened, but it is less upsetting. Many types of therapy have similar
goals. However, EMDR appears to be thought of as a physiologically based
therapy that helps a person see disturbing materials in a new and less
distressing way.
What kind of problems can EMDR treat?
Scientific research has established EMDR as effective for post traumatic
stress. However, clinicians also have reported success using EMDR in
treatment of the following conditions:
Panic attacks
Complicated grief
Dissociative disorders
Disturbing memories
Phobias
Pain disorders
Performance anxiety
Stress reduction
Addictions
Sexual and/or Physical abuse
Body dysmorphic disorders
Personality disorders
EMDR Research
Approximately 20 controlled studies have investigated the effects of EMDR.
These studies have consistently found that EMDR effectively
decreases/eliminates the symptoms of post traumatic stress for the majority
of clients. Clients often report improvement in other associated symptoms
such as anxiety. The current treatment guidelines of the American
Psychiatric Association and the International Society for Traumatic Stress
Studies designate EMDR as an effective treatment for post traumatic stress.
EMDR was also found effective by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and
Department of Defense, the United Kingdom Department of Health, the Israeli
National Council for Mental Health, and many other international health and
governmental agencies. Research has also shown that EMDR can be an efficient
and rapid treatment.
Information on this page is directly from EMDR International Association.