EMDR Therapy or Eye Movement Desensitization Processing Therapy is also widely known as EMDR. EMDR Therapy is a technique that incorporates elements of cognitive-behavioural therapy with bi-lateral eye movements or other forms of rhythmic, left-right stimulation. One of the key elements of EMDR is “dual stimulation”.

The Australian Psychological Society (APS)considers EMDR Therapy as a Level 1 intervention, which means it is very highly regarded and backed up by solid evidence of its effectiveness.

EMDR Therapy – History

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) history began in 1987 with psychologist Francine Shapiro’s accidental discovery that rapid eye movements reduced distress from traumatic memories.

This lead to her development of Eye Movement Desensitization (EMD) and later EMDR, a structured therapy now recognized globally for treating PTSD and other trauma-related issues by helping process unprocessed memories through bilateral stimulation.

EMDR – How Does It Work?

During treatment, you are asked to think or talk about memories, triggers and painful emotions while simultaneously focusing on the left and right movements of your therapists finger.

In a typical EMDR therapy session, the client will focus on traumatic memories and associated negative emotions and beliefs while tracking your therapists moving finger with your eyes as it moves back and forth across your field of vision.

What Makes EMDR Therapy Different?

EMDR Therapy’s Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, posits that trauma overwhelms the brain’s natural healing system, causing distressing memories to get “stuck” in isolation, leading to symptoms like PTSD.

EMDR therapy uses bilateral stimulation (like eye movements) to “unblock” these memories, allowing the brain to reprocess and integrate them adaptively, resolving their emotional charge and reducing symptoms, much like removing a splinter allows a cut to heal naturally.

Can EMDR Be Done By Just Any Therapist?

Eligibility for EMDR training is quite strict, according to the EMDR International Association is restricted to Licensed Mental Health Professionals to practice in their state or province:

• Qualifying Medical Doctors with a medical specialty in Psychiatry
• Qualifying Nurses must have a Master of Science in Nursing (or higher) with a specialization in psychiatric nursing
• Qualifying Mental Health Clinicians must have a Master’s or Doctoral degree in the mental health field (Counseling, Marriage Family Therapy, Psychology, Psychotherapy, Psychiatry, Social Work) or related mental health discipline considered appropriate by EMDRIA
• Mental Health Clinicians who have a Master’s degree in one of the following fields may be asked to submit their graduate transcript to EMDRIA to determine their eligibility: Art Therapy, Christian / Pastoral Counseling, Drug / Alcohol Counseling and Music Therapy.

EMDR Therapist – Andrew Reay

Andrew Reay is an EMDR Association of Australia member and trained under Graham Taylor. You can click here and access the EMDR Association of Australia.

EMDR – Used For What Issues?

EMDR is used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (cPTSD). Find out more about Trauma treatment at Thinkshift here.

EMDR Therapy – Contact Us To Find Out More 

To find out more about our services and how Thinkshift can help, please contact us on 0411 576 676 or send us a message via email.