Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Using EMDR to Treat PTSD
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) was developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro nearly two decades ago. Since then nearly 100 case studies and at least 20 formal randomized controlled trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of EMDR versus other treatments to treat post-traummatic stress disorder (PTSD). As a result of this research, in 2004, the American Psychiatric Association gave EMDR the same status as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy--another well established therapy modality-- as an effective treatment of both acute and chronic symptoms of PTSD. One reason that EMDR remains the treatment of choice is that it usually requires fewer sessions than CBT and other behavior-based therapies for PTSD sufferers to experience relief and resolution of symptoms.
At SSPA, all of our therapists are trained in EMDR, not only to treat PTSD but also to provide relief for other anxiety disorders, depression, grief and to enhance performance in such areas as sports and public speaking. EMDR treatment begins with a thorough assessment of symptoms and memories surrounding a trauma or stressful life event and then targets specific areas to work on using a particular EMDR protocol developed by Francine Shapiro and the EMDR Institute in California. Sometimes EMDR just helps clients to relax using creative visualizations and guided imagery. Over the years, many of our clients have gotten significant benefits from using EMDR, which provides further evidence for us that it is now an important and ground-breaking therapy.
Kathleen Smith
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) was developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro nearly two decades ago. Since then nearly 100 case studies and at least 20 formal randomized controlled trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of EMDR versus other treatments to treat post-traummatic stress disorder (PTSD). As a result of this research, in 2004, the American Psychiatric Association gave EMDR the same status as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy--another well established therapy modality-- as an effective treatment of both acute and chronic symptoms of PTSD. One reason that EMDR remains the treatment of choice is that it usually requires fewer sessions than CBT and other behavior-based therapies for PTSD sufferers to experience relief and resolution of symptoms.
At SSPA, all of our therapists are trained in EMDR, not only to treat PTSD but also to provide relief for other anxiety disorders, depression, grief and to enhance performance in such areas as sports and public speaking. EMDR treatment begins with a thorough assessment of symptoms and memories surrounding a trauma or stressful life event and then targets specific areas to work on using a particular EMDR protocol developed by Francine Shapiro and the EMDR Institute in California. Sometimes EMDR just helps clients to relax using creative visualizations and guided imagery. Over the years, many of our clients have gotten significant benefits from using EMDR, which provides further evidence for us that it is now an important and ground-breaking therapy.
Kathleen Smith
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