Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a modern psychotherapy approach, accelerates the treatment of a wide range of symptoms, difficulties, and self-esteem issues related both to past traumatic events and present life conditions. EMDR has been empirically tested with individuals presenting with a broad range of concerns including loss of a loved one, rape, sexual molestation, physical and emotional abuse, and exposure to combat and natural disaster.
EMDR has also been used extensively in the treatment of non-traumatized individuals who are experiencing problems with anxiety, low mood, work and relationship difficulties. Over 60,000 clinicians internationally have been trained in EMDR. Controlled studies of survivors of combat, rape, molestation, accident, catastrophic loss and natural disaster indicate that EMDR is capable of a rapid reprocessing of traumatic memories, including a cognitive restructuring and a significant reduction of client symptoms such as emotional distress, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks and nightmares. Substantial research supports application of EMDR to trauma-related disorders. The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS), the Dept of Veterans Affairs and DOD, The American Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association have listed EMDR as efficacious in the treatment of PTSD. In addition, an extensive literature of case studies have been published on the effective use of EMDR for clients with less severe presenting problems.
EMDR AS PART OF MY CLINICAL PRACTICE
I have been using EMDR in my clinical practice since 1990 and it has become a core method in my clinical work. EMDR combines well with other adjunctive treatment methods I employ especially relational and somatic psychotherapy. EMDR can be useful not only in resolving major life traumas but also with lesser traumas which also can have lasting effects on the individual. Any trauma, big-T or small-t can generate disturbing states of emotion and thought which can be triggered in the present time. EMDR therapy can help clients overcome the accumulated negative effects of the many small and big traumas experienced over the course of their lives. Symptom relief and personal change can take place much more rapidly and deeply than through conventional talk therapy.
TRAINING PROGRAM IN EMDR
My wife and colleague, Deany Laliotis, and I teach an intensive course in EMDR for licensed mental health professionals. This course is approved by the EMDR International Association as fulfilling the basic training requirements towards certification in EMDR (www.emdria.org). Please visit our training website: www.emdrtherapy.com for information on training qualifications, dates, and costs.