Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured, effective psychotherapy developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. It was originally designed to treat the distress associated with traumatic memories, but has since proven effective for a wide range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, phobias, and complex grief.

EMDR is based on the idea that psychological difficulties often stem from unprocessed memories of distressing life-events. These memories can be saved in a wrong location of your brain and continue to trigger emotional and physiological symptoms long after the event has passed.

During EMDR sessions, the therapist guides the client through a series of bilateral stimulations—typically eye movements, while the client briefly focuses on aspects of a traumatic or troubling memory. This process helps the brain to rewire the trauma related neuronal networks and integrate these  to new, adaptive neuronal associations. The emotional distress will dinimish. 

Unlike many exposure based traumamethods, EMDR requires neither a detailed describtion of the trauma nor engaging in prolonged exposure to distressing material. Instead, the focus is on activating the brain’s natural healing mechanisms.

The essential benefits of EMDR include a rather rapid symptom relief. Sometimes you can reach a noticeable symptom relief already after few sessions. Major organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), American Psychiatric Association (APA), and UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recognize EMDR as an effective treatment for trauma and related disorders.

EMDR may only be used by appropriately trained professionals. In Switzerland, the prerequisite is a completed basic therapeutic training, e.g., for psychological psychotherapists and psychiatrists. Accredited further training in EMDR is also required – usually through an EMDR specialist institute with supervision and practical components.

Anyone suffering from persistent stress should consult a qualified professional to determine whether EMDR can be a suitable support. Praxis Kinnunen has at the moment openings for EMDR-Therapy.