Why EMDR Works
The mind can often heal itself naturally, in the same way as the body does. Much of this natural coping mechanism occurs during sleep, particularly during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
"REM sleep first occurs about 90 minutes after falling asleep. Your eyes move rapidly from side to side behind closed eyelids . . . Your breathing becomes faster and irregular, and your heart rate and blood pressure increase to near waking levels and you begin to dream. . . You spend about 2 hours each night dreaming but may not remember most of your dreams. ("Brain Basics: Understanding Sleep")"
Although we don’t know exactly why we dream, most experts agree that dreaming helps us to process our emotions. In much the same way that rapid eye movement (REM) or dream sleep works to help us to process our emotions, EMDR Therapy does two very important things: Not only does it "unstick" the negative memories and emotions that have gotten “stuck” in the brain, but it also helps the brain to successfully process those memories. Once the memory is processed, it is able to “move” out of the brain and is no longer disturbing to the client. The negative memories simply become “historic facts” with no emotions attached to them.
Source: “Brain Basics: Understanding Sleep.” National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Understanding-Sleep#2.
Types of Issues that can be Helped by EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy has been purported to help with issues such as:
- Panic Attacks
- Grief
- Anxiety
- Stress Reduction
- Disturbing Memories
- Sexual/Physical Abuse
- Trauma