The Effectiveness of EMDR in Healing Trauma

Since its introduction in 1989, EMDR has continually been shown as an effective treatment for a variety of traumatic experiences. Though scientists are still uncovering the mechanisms through which EMDR works, it is believed to interact with the brain's memory networks to create new connections where traumatic experiences have become “stuck” in negative neuropathways or associations. Through EMDR, patients can find effective healing, as the brain creates positive associations between traumatic memories and healthier thoughts in order to reduce the panic responses, low self esteem, or negative self beliefs associated with the unresolved trauma. .

The Effectiveness of EMDR in Healing Trauma

In recent years, EMDR has gained a reputation for quick and effective healing for trauma victims. EMDR has been shown to be effective in treating childhood sexual abuse survivors, combat trauma for war veterans, rape victims, natural disaster survivors, and even victims of terrorist attacks. EMDR can also be helpful in healing negative self beliefs associated with past emotional or psychological trauma. EMDR has been proven effective in eliminating trauma symptoms, such as flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, panic attacks, hyperarousal and hypervigilance, and shame associated with survival of trauma.

EMDR has been recommended and endorsed by a host of respected mental health organizations, such as the American Psychiatric Association, Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, and the British Royal College of General Practitioners. Scientific research underscores these recommendations, with EMDR showing success rates of up to 100 percent in traumatized combat veterans, including 77 percent who found relief in 12 sessions or less. In fact, several studies have shown that EMDR can work as effectively as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with EMDR accomplishing healing in fewer sessions, less time, and with no homework requirement. One Kaiser Permanente funded study found that survivors of multiple traumas were cured of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms after only six 50-minute sessions.

While some trauma therapies tend to lose effectiveness somewhat in the time after therapy has been completed, EMDR studies show its long-term effectiveness. One study of adult female survivors of childhood sexual abuse showed improvement in trauma symptoms, even after 18 months had passed since treatment. Other studies have likewise shown that EMDR patients who are successfully treated do not generally experience recurrence of panic or trauma symptoms.

Related posts:

1. Incorporating EMDR Into Your Integrative Health Care Plan
2. The Origins of EMDR Therapy
3. What to Expect From EMDR Therapy
4. Healing Trauma With Art Therapy
5. Finding a Reputable EMDR Therapist
6. Emotional Issues Treated by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
7. Healing Properties of Omega 3 Fats
8. Reducing Anxiety Through Art Therapy
9. Treating Dependency With Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
10. Unearthing Dependency Roots Via Hypnotherapy
11. Questions to Ask Art Therapy Counselors
12. Healing Dependency Through Meditation
13. The Relationship Between PTSD and Dependency
14. Healing Your Inner Child After Abuse
15. Repressed Memories and Hypnotherapy
16. Problems With the Genetic Model of Alcoholism
17. Healing Formative Life Events in Hypnotherapy
18. Finding Freedom From Negative Self Views
19. Techniques Used in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
20. Does Genetics Cause Dependency