EMDR

What is EMDR? And when do you use it?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, abbreviated as EMDR, is a scientifically proven treatment method for people who continue to suffer from the consequences of a traumatic experience, such as an accident, sexual assault, or a violent incident. EMDR was first described more than 25 years ago by the American psychologist Francine Shapiro. In the years that followed, this procedure was further refined and developed into a fully-fledged and effective therapeutic method; also available online.


What happens to you after a shocking, painful, or frightening event?

You can process the event, or you can get stuck in this processing. Getting stuck in the processing causes you to feel, behave, think, and react differently to your environment. You often notice that you do not feel well, or those around you point this out. You may not realize that the changes within yourself are related to the unprocessed traumatic event. The traumatic event may cause you to have constant anxious images or thoughts about it, leading to various complaints—both mental and physical. EMDR is then a first-choice treatment to help you get rid of these complaints.


I stay up to date with the latest scientifically validated developments, such as EMDR 2.0 and VSDT (Visual Schema Displacement Therapy), through accredited training and lectures. This allows me to apply various forms of EMDR within a tested framework.


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EVENTS

Various shocking events can lead to processing difficulties. For example, if you are a victim of a:

  • (car) accident or injury
  • serious illness
  • raid
  • assault or witness of assault/violence
  • (sexual) abuse, sexual assault or rape
  • brand
  • natural disaster
  • war situation


Or for example in the case of experiences of loss:

  • loss of a job
  • loss of a loved one
  • loss of autonomy


COMPLAINTS

You may experience various symptoms after a traumatic event. These include:

  • unpleasant memories of the event
  • flashbacks (feeling that it keeps happening over and over again)
  • avoiding matters related to the event
  • more easily irritated/short fuse
  • shame, guilt, or a negative self-image
  • gloom
  • concentration problems
  • unexplained physical complaints
  • sleep problems
  • anxieties, panic, worrying, restlessness
  • stress, heightened alertness/vigilance


 

WHEN DOES EMDR NOT WORK?


You don't want to get in touch with your feelings.

The advantage of EMDR is that you do not have to talk extensively about your trauma and feelings. However, to apply EMDR successfully, you must be willing to recall traumatic memories.

You suffer from a personality disorder.

A personality disorder can make it more difficult for you to focus. This can cause EMDR therapy to be less effective.


You have completely blocked traumatic memories.

EMDR may be less effective if you no longer remember anything about the trauma.


The trauma is very complex.

EMDR can sometimes be only of limited effectiveness for complex traumas. In such cases, other forms of treatment are often necessary.

Your feelings given the situation are normal.

Feelings of guilt because you have hurt someone, for example, will not diminish.

You are using medication that (partially) suppresses your feelings.

As a result, you may sometimes be less able to process unpleasant experiences fully.