Therapy with the Cognitve Behavioural Therapy (CBT) & EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), originally developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the treatment of trauma and PTSD, is not a discrete branch of therapy, but a technique used to complement and support trauma therapy.  Memories of disturbing or traumatic events stored in the brain may cause a negative and rigid self-belief can be reprocessed and stored with the help of EMDR and bilateral-bifocal, auditory and/or tactile stimulation. Having been rigorously investigated over many years, EMDR, as a psychodynamic-behavioral treatment method, is now an internationally recognized method for the treatment of trauma and PTSD. EMDR as highly structured and was developed to help transform dysfunctional learned experiences into adaptive behavior. According to Oliver Overrun, the use of EMDR requires a great deal of confidence, structuring and discretion on the part of the therapist.

EMDR is a visual-confrontational, relaxing and highly supportive method of treatment. Bilateral sensory stimuli (induced eye movements, finger tapping or snapping by the therapist) enables traumatic experiences to be processed and digested (Francine Shapiro, EMDR basics and practice. Handbook for traumatized people. 2nd edition, Junfermann Verlag, Paderborn 2001). EMDR is recognized as an effective treatment method by the APA (American Psychological Association) and ISTSS (International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies), and its importance is growing. Currently there are 53,000 trained EMDR therapists worldwide.