EMDR THERAPY
EMDR is a type of psychotherapy in which we reprocess the information related to the memories stored in our minds.
EMDR stands for “Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.” It is a therapeutic method that means “Desensitization and Reprocessing through Eye Movements.” EMDR is a widely accepted and commonly used method around the world. Although it is primarily applied for intense fear and anxiety, it is now used in many psychiatric disorders.
EMDR therapy is a psychotherapeutic approach that helps individuals make sense of disturbing events, memories, and distress that they cannot recover from, allowing them to process these experiences and achieve relief.
Today, EMDR is considered a holistic therapy method that incorporates elements from various therapeutic approaches and has standardized protocols for different diagnostic conditions.
Natural disasters, major accidents, losses, war, abuse, and assault are significant traumas; however, any experience that becomes traumatic at any age—especially in childhood—can also be included. Negative events in daily life such as those occurring within family, school, or work environments, exposure to violence, humiliation, rejection, neglect, and failures may also remain as unprocessed memories.
This therapy is based on the idea that psychological distress is caused by negatively and dysfunctionally stored memories. Guided by the Adaptive Information Processing model, EMDR works by transforming these maladaptively stored memories. Maladaptive beliefs, behaviors, and inappropriate reactions are considered to stem from these past stored experiences. By accessing and processing these target memories in therapy, they are transformed. In this way, they are integrated with other life experiences to strengthen more adaptive solutions.
After establishing a therapeutic relationship between the psychiatrist and the client, target memories are identified and bilateral stimulation is applied to the client. This stimulation may include eye movements, auditory stimulation to both ears, or bilateral tactile stimulation. These bilateral stimuli are the core mechanism of EMDR and directly influence its effectiveness. They facilitate communication between the two hemispheres of the brain, allowing faster access to memory networks associated with negative experiences. As a result, instead of a memory stored as fearful and anxious, new adaptive memories are formed in which the individual feels safe, strong, and capable of self-protection and self-confidence.
EMDR therapy does not only eliminate distressing symptoms. The positive beliefs and emotions gained through a new perspective also improve the client’s view of themselves, their relationships, and the world, contributing to personal growth.
