EMDR
EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) is a
therapeutic intervention developed by Francine Shapiro, PhD
in 1987. EMDR may be used in conjunction with other
therapies both with children and adults who have sustained
trauma.
When a person experiences a trauma, the trauma becomes
locked in the right side of the brain. By stimulating the
left and right side of the brain, simultaneously, the client
is able to reprocess the traumatic event so it no longer
impedes their daily functioning. For more information,
please visit the EMDR Institute.
EMDR is a trauma-reduction therapy which has been used
successfully for years with adults and now children. This
intervention is non-traditional, in that, very little
dialogue takes place during the desensitization phase of
treatment. Clients who have experienced traditional “talk”
therapy, but still feel “stuck” on certain issues, benefit
greatly from EMDR. EMDR is always used in conjunction with
other therapies, as no one therapy is used effectively in
isolation.
EMDR with Children
Often times children who have experienced trauma in their
lives become “stuck” and the child and his parents do not
always understand why. EMDR can be useful to help the child
process his experience of trauma differently.
The goals of EMDR as an intervention are the following:
- Focus attention on a
specific memory, thought, image, or emotion.
- Unravel strings of
disturbing traumatic experiences, possibly providing
missing detail or data towards resolution.
- Eliminate irrational
components of fears to allow other expressed or hidden
affect to be processed.
- Reinforce more
adaptive behaviors.
- Build positive
realistic beliefs.
- Strengthen ego and
instill inner resources to build self-esteem.
A child’s developmental age
is very important to determine before working with a child.
A therapist using EMDR ALWAYS meets the child where he is,
developmentally! A broader goal is for the child to feel
successful throughout this therapeutic process.
As with all therapeutic
models, a child’s involvement in therapy always involves his
family. Depending on the child and his circumstances, a
parent is sometimes physically present during the EMDR
sessions. This can provide a greater sense of security for
the child.
The child’s family is always kept informed of how they can
support the child in between sessions. The creation of a
“safe place” for the child is one way to keep the child
secure.
EMDR is a process. Trust must be established between the
child and the therapist before they can proceed with any
treatment. The same is true of EMDR.
To learn more about EMDR, please log onto
www.emdr.com.
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