EMDR: A first-line treatment for psychological trauma

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Back in 1987, a nontraditional type of psychotherapy was initially developed. Called eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, it was advanced by psychologist Francine Shapiro after she noticed one day while walking through the woods that her negative emotions decreased as her eyes darted from side to side. She then discovered it had the same effect on her patients.

As Dr. Curtis Cripe notes, several theories have been proposed for EMDR. For example, the theory of neural cognition (TnC) suggests that EMDR can mediate new learning through repeated bilateral alternating stimulations -- typically eye movements -- that alter the neural traces of traumatic memory. In turn, a new stable memory network is recreated, and the negative emotions associated with the trauma memories are reduced.

EMDR has been determined to be an effective treatment for PTSD and anxiety. It differs from other therapy techniques focused on directly altering the thoughts, emotions, and responses from traumatic experiences. Instead, Dr. Curtis Cripe notes that EMDR focuses on memory processing and reconsolidation. Through this therapy, new learnings occur because the emotional load that causes the traumatic emotional pain is discharged.

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The American Psychiatric Association has found that EMDR effectively deals with acute and chronic PTSD symptoms. Furthermore, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense have worked together to issue clinical practice guidelines for the use of EMDR in treating military and non-military individuals affected by PTSD.

Dr. Curtis Cripe leads the research and development team of NTL Group, a company that specializes in creating neuroengineering programs to diagnose and treat various neurological dysfunctions. NTL Group also helps clinicians through its NeuroCoach® EMDR Module that can increase the effectiveness of their EMDR therapy sessions. Learn more by clicking this link.