The Science Behind EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a type of psychotherapy that has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of trauma. EMDR is a set of standardized protocols that incorporates elements from many different treatment approaches.
What is EMDR?
EMDR therapy is an eight-phase treatment. It uses bilateral stimulation (either eye movements, tapping, or tones) to help the client process traumatic memories and reduce their impact.
Scientific Research Supporting EMDR
Numerous studies have documented the effectiveness of EMDR therapy. A meta-analysis of 38 randomized controlled trials demonstrated that EMDR therapy provides significant improvements in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.
Research has also shown that EMDR therapy can be an efficient treatment approach. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that 84-90% of single-trauma victims no longer had PTSD after only three 90-minute sessions.
How EMDR Works: The Science
The exact mechanisms by which EMDR works are still being researched, but the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model is currently the most accepted theory. The AIP model posits that EMDR works by helping the brain process traumatic memories and integrate them into the client's existing memory networks.
Conclusion
The scientific research and studies that support EMDR therapy are robust and continue to grow. This evidence, along with the thousands of clinicians, trained in EMDR therapy, who successfully treat their clients, attests to the power and effectiveness of EMDR therapy.
Further Reading and Resources
"Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy" - American Psychological Association
"EMDR: Taking a Closer Look" - Scientific American
"EMDR and PTSD: What you need to know" - Medical News Today
"EMDR Therapy for Trauma and PTSD" - Verywell Mind
"EMDR in the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder" - Psychiatry Online
"Adaptive Information Processing: A Paradigm for Understanding and Treating Traumatic Memories" - Journal of EMDR Practice and Research