What does EMDR mean?

EMDR is the abbreviation for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. In German, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing means desensitization and processing through eye movement. In 1987, US psychologist Francine Shapiro accidentally discovered that psychological states and also disorders can be influenced by performing rapid eye movements.

At the time, Shapiro noticed that as soon as a disturbing thought crossed her mind, rapid horizontal movements of the eyes helped to reduce or even dissolve the emotional and mental strain associated with the thought. In her opinion, it was precisely these eye movements that seemed to be responsible for the negative thought disappearing from consciousness again. In the future, she performed rapid eye movements as soon as she noticed a negative thought. Because she noticed positive changes, she began to experiment with such induced eye movements with acquaintances and friends.The successes encouraged her to further research until she developed the EMDR process as a form of psychotherapy for the treatment of trauma sequelae in the late 1980s. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing can be used to treat trauma sequelae in adults, adolescents and children.

EMDR in practice

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing incorporates elements of numerous effective psychotherapy approaches that are used in a structured manner to achieve optimal treatment outcomes. These include body therapy, interpersonal, cognitive-behavioral, and psychodynamic/deep psychological elements. EMDR therapy is also about building psychological strength and processing traumatic experiences, which are involved in triggering many mental illnesses. This method has been used in Germany since about 1991.

 
Although Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a highly effective procedure today, the method is not free of side effects and contraindications. Also read about the possible side effects of EMDR.