Hypnotism Works

Since Dr Shapiro developed this thearapy a wealth of research has been conducted demonstrating its benefits in treating psychological trauma arising from experiences as diverse as war related experiences, childhood sexual and/or physical abuse or neglect, natural disaster, assault, surgical trauma, road traffic accidents and workplace accidents. Since its original development, EMDR is also increasingly used to help individuals with other issues and performance anxiety. EMDR has been found to be of benefit to children as well as adults.
What can EMDR be used for?

A wealth of research has been carried out demonstrating the benefits of this therapy in treating an extensive range of distressing issues such as:

- War related experiences.
- Phobias.
- Bereavement.
- Performance anxiety.
- Childhood sexual and/or physical abuse.
- Childhood neglect.
- Bullying.
- Natural disasters.
- Assault.
- Surgical trauma.
- Road traffic accidents.
- Workplace accidents.
- Pain disorders.
- Panic attacks.
- Addictions.
- Dissociative disorders.
- Body image disorders.

How does EMDR work?
When a person is involved in a distressing experience, they may feel overwhelmed and their brain may be unable to process the information like a normal memory. The distressing memory seems to become frozen on a subconscious level. When the experience is recalled, the person can re-experience what they saw, heard, smelt, tasted or felt, and this can be quite intense, this is sometimes called flashbacks. Sometimes the memories are so distressing, the person tries to avoid thinking about the distressing event to avoid re-experiencing the distressing feelings. Some find that the distressing memories come to mind when something reminds them of the distressing event, or sometimes the memories just seem to just pop into mind.
The alternating left-right stimulation of the brain with eye movements, sounds or taps during EMDR, seems to stimulate the frozen or blocked information processing system. In the process the distressing memories seem to lose their intensity, so that the memories are less distressing and seem more like 'ordinary' memories'. The effect is believed to be similar to that which occurs naturally during REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement) when your eyes rapidly move from side to side. EMDR helps reduce the distress of all the different kinds of memories, whether it was what you saw, heard, smelt, tasted, felt or thought.
What can I expect from my EMDR therapist?
EMDR is not simply the use of eye movements. Rather it is a comprehensive therapeutic approach with principles, protocols and procedures with the goal of reducing distress in the shortest period of time.

The therapy involves the therapist spending time getting to know your history. This includes the kind of distress you are experiencing, the kind of difficulties have you experienced, if you have physical problems, if you are taking medication and explore the support you have.

The therapist will ask you to select an image that represents the distressing event. You will then be asked to think about negative and positive thoughts, your feelings, the amount of distress you feel and where you feel it in your body. Your therapist will then begin the eye movements while you hold the image in mind. After each set of eye movements your therapist will ask you what came to mind or what you noticed during the eye movements. During the eye movements you may experience the distressing event quite intensely to start with, but this distress generally reduces as the memory is processed with EMDR. Your therapist will continue with the eye movements until your distress is reduced as much as possible. Your therapist will then ask you to think about your positive thought and also check whether there is any part of your body where you still feel distress. Before the end of the session, your therapist will give you time to feel calm again, using the safe-pleasant place exercise or relaxation techniques.

hat will I feel like after the session?
EMDR treatment generates a certain amount of 'momentum' to your thinking and conscious awareness. In other words the treatment does not just stop immediately after your session. During your eye movement session a lot of memories may come to mind and people find that after the session they may think about these memories. If these memories are distressing, then for a day or two you may feel distressed. During this time it is recommended that you take care of yourself and use your relaxation technique to sooth yourself. It is recommended that you do not do anything too stressful straight after your EMDR session. Some people report that after the session they seem to recall more aspects of the events that they hadn't thought about for a while. Some report that they dream more. Everybody is different so keep a note of your experience after the session and discuss this with the therapist.
As the distress decreases with EMDR, people report feeling a relief. At the end of EMDR therapy, many people report feeling no distress at all when recalling a distressing event.

Is EMDR a form of hypnotism?
No, EMDR is not a form of hypnotism. Even though you are moving your eyes during EMDR you will remain conscious and in control at all times. EMDR cannot be done against your will.
Besides eye movements, auditory or tactile bilateral stimulation can also be used to create the same effect. Auditory bilateral stimulation is created by sound alternating from ear to ear. Tactile bilateral stimulation is produced by alternating taps that you can feel.

Will I experience any pain?
No.... We generally think of pain in a physical sense and at no time is physical pain involved in EMDR. EMDR requires that you bring distressing memories to mind and you may recall painful feelings for a time. Even though this may be intense to start with, the distress of these feelings generally decreases with EMDR.

For more infomation or to book an appointment please call 01792 417628 or 07837920234