Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of therapy that was discovered by accident during a walk in the woods where Francine Shapiro made an unusual observation. When observing light flashing through the trees as she walked, the saccadic eye movement appeared to render previously troubling thoughts less emotionally resonant. 

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At first glance, such an anecdote may seem like a flimsy basis for an entirely new version of psychotherapy, if not pseudoscientific. However, Shapiro was a Psychologist with the resources to investigate to see if this occurrence could be replicated in laboratory conditions. The results of these subsequent studies validated the potency of what she had experienced.  

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Today, EMDR is now recognised by the World Health Organisation and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in the UK as a potent treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among other ailments. 

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Although EMDR's potency seems to be established, how it works has not been. It has been speculated that it may help move traumatic memories that are still kept in working memory to be reallocated into long term memory, although this is far from the only proffered explanation.

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Currently at the Clear Thinking Clinic, EMDR is offered by Joyce Blake. If you would like to get in touch for a consultation click here.

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Click the images below to learn more.

The image on the left concerns EMDR's efficacy. The other is of Francine Shapiro.