The main principle of EMDR is bilateral hemispheric stimulation.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is believed to directly affect neural pathways in the brain that are essential for healing. The main principle of this method is bilateral hemispheric stimulation, alternate stimulation of the right and left hemispheres of the brain. This can be done by tactile stimuli such as short touches, acoustic signals or even visually by rapid eye movements, whereby visual stimulation regularly proves to be the most effective and successful form of stimulation.
The theory is that bilateral stimulation – the main intervention of the EMDR method – brings about a synchronous interaction of both hemispheres of the brain in order to achieve better processing of traumatic experiences. And similar to the REM phases of night sleep, the method with rapid eye movements activates the self-healing powers as a result of the optimized cooperation of both hemispheres of the brain. Stressful events can often be better processed in this way. Memories of traumatic experiences as well as associated physical arousals usually subside through treatment with EMDR, while positive thoughts make their way on the emotional level.
Treatment with the method of bilateral stimulation is used today, among other things, to overcome trauma and phobias, as well as for anxiety and to support mourning processes. The latter two areas of application show that EMDR is also being used more and more in coaching. This is because both anxiety and grief reactions are, in a large number of cases, the normal emotional reaction of a healthy person to a stressful experience.
Furthermore, the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing application is believed to dissolve blockages in the brain and integrate mis-stored information, which repeatedly aids the process in coaching everyday challenges.
Is EMDR effective?
- According to reports, numerous patients who received EMDR treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder felt significantly relieved afterwards - and this after only a few sessions.
- Therapists who use Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing in therapy regularly state that the method is often more effective than other therapeutic methods. The success rate of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is particularly high in severe cases, and the patients' condition improves quickly in many cases, he said.
- In a survey of 445 therapists trained in EMDR who had collectively treated more than 10,000 patients, 76% of respondents reportedly confirmed the greater effectiveness of EMDR intervention over other forms of treatment already in use. Only 4% would have found the EMDR phases less effective.
- According to research, the use of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is said to achieve the same treatment effects as other treatment methods, in less than half the treatment hours.
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EMDR in therapy
When the processing system of our brain fails Humans appear to have an information processing system in the brain that is tasked with processing stressful experiences in a way that
EMDR in therapy
When the processing system of our brain fails Humans appear to have an information processing system in the brain that is tasked with processing stressful experiences in a way that
