What Is EMDR Therapy

H.Edie Park
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Updated on December 1st, 2021

What Is EMDR Therapy and How Does It Work?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, a type of integrated psychotherapy that’s efficiently proven to tackle trauma-related issues. The process works in 8 phases when people carefully reprocess past traumatic events until it ceases to disrupt their minds.

Does EMDR Really Work?

Yes. Research has proven EMDR therapy effective in helping those tackling traumatic stress. EMDR therapy’s effectiveness can be credited to its ability to help clients reprocess a given traumatic experience without being “hit-hard” by the thoughts. It has proven comfortable for clients, as they don’t have to discuss their bad experiences verbally.

How Long Does EMDR Therapy Take to Work?

EMDR therapy is split into 8 phases. It implies that you’ll be required to go for several sessions before regaining the desired control. Many clients attend about 12 sessions to achieve the success they want.

Is EMDR Therapy Really Effective?

Yes, EMDR therapy is highly effective in treating trauma-related issues. Research proves that EMDR therapy had a 77% success rate for 22 people with PTSD and psychotic disorders (2012).
Besides, EMDR therapy was found to be more effective in treating symptoms. EMDR therapy also had a 68% success rate in 32 people who had depression issues. Unfortunately, the sample statistics here are small, and that’s the reason for recent calls for more research into the matter.

H.Edie Park
H.Edie Park

Credentials: ECU School of Medicine School - Doctor of Medicine; ECU Psychiatry Residency School - Psychiatric Medicine License: 200200581 Certification: Advance Cardiac Life Support Languages: Korean, French, German

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