EMDR is an acronym for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing.
EMDR is a powerful psychological treatment method that was developed by an American clinical psychologist, Dr Francine Shapiro, in the 1980s. As SeniorResearch Fellow at the Mental Research Institute (in Palo Alto, USA) she published the first research data to support the benefits of the therapy in 1989. Since then a wealth of research has been conducted demonstrating its benefits in treating 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 accident, workplace accidents. Since its original development, EMDR is also increasingly used to help individuals with other issues such as excessive grief reactions, panic disorder, phobias, self-esteem issues and performance anxiety. EMDR has been found to be of benefit to children as well as adults.
EMDR is a complex and powerful therapy. Therapists always have a background in mental health before undertaking training in EMDR. You are strongly recommended to only consult legitimate clinicians who have undergone a bona-fide training.
