Betty Ann McPherson  Psychotherapy & Counselling Services

 HOW WAS EMDR DEVELOPED?

In 1987, psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro made the

chance observation that eye movements can reduce

the intensity of disturbing thoughts, under certain

conditions. Dr. Shapiro studied this effect scientifically,

and in a 1989 issue of the Journal of Traumatic Stress,

she reported success using EMDR (Eye Movement

Desensitization Reprocessing) to treat victims of

trauma. Since then, EMDR has developed and evolved

through the contributions of therapists and researchers

all over the world. Today, EMDR is a set of standardized

protocols that incorporates elements from many different

treatment approaches.

HOW DOES EMDR WORK?

No one knows how any form of psychotherapy works

neurobiologically or in the brain. However, we do know

that when a person is very upset, their brain cannot

process information as it does ordinarily. One moment

becomes “frozen in time,” and remembering a trauma may

feel as bad as going through it the first time because the

images, sounds, smells, and feelings haven’t changed. Such

memories have a lasting negative effect that interferes with

the way a person sees the world and the way they relate

to other people.

EMDR seems to have a direct effect on the way that

the brain processes information. Normal information

processing is resumed, so following a successful EMDR

session, a person no longer relives the images, sounds,

and feelings when the event is brought to mind. You still

remember what happened, but it is less upsetting. Many

types of therapy have similar goals. However, EMDR

appears to be similar to what occurs naturally during

dreaming or REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Therefore,

EMDR can be thought of as a physiologically based

therapy that helps a person see disturbing material in a

new and less distressing way.

WHAT IS THE ACTUAL EMDR SESSION LIKE?

During EMDR, the therapist works with the client to identify a specific problem as the focus of the treatment session. The client calls to mind the disturbing issue or event, what was seen, felt, heard, thought, etc., and what thoughts and beliefs are currently held about that event.

The therapist facilitates the directional movement of the eyes or other dual attention stimulation of the brain,while the client focuses on the disturbing material, and the client just notices whatever comes to mind without making any effort to control direction or content. Each person will process information uniquely, based onpersonal experiences and values. Sets of eye movements are continued until the memory becomes less disturbing and is associated with positive thoughts and beliefs about one’s self; for example, “I did the best I could.”

During EMDR, the client may experience intense emotions, but by the end of the session, most people report a great reduction in the level of disturbance.

Betty Ann McPherson is a qualified EMDR therapist.  Please contact Betty Ann McPherson to arrange an appointment and assessment to determine whether this is a suitable treatment for you.

 Ph:  (705) 866-6018

 Alt:  (705) 560-2481

For Further information and/or copies of research about EMDR please see:  www.emdria.org or www.emdrcanada.org