EMDR Therapy? - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Message Board

keevefal · 03-29-2003, 11:10 AM

I'm currently in therapy for stuff that happened when I was abused as a kid. My therapist suggested I try EMDR therapy as an added means of dealing with some of the stronger feelings that are coming up now. (The therapy would be done by someone other than her) I've read a lot about this therapy recently, and know the basics of it, and the controversy, but what I'd really like is to hear from someone who has actually personally done it. I'd love to hear from someone who's experienced it, or , for that matter, if anyone knows of a bulletin board where people talk about this, I'd like to know that to. Thanks if you can help!

PTSD 1977 · 03-29-2003, 12:54 PM

I was diagnosed with PTSD 1 year ago. Mt therapist also brought up EMDR and happened to be trained in administering EMDR herself. It is very important for the therapist to understand when to use EMDR and my therapist was selective as to where our focus was when using EMDR. EMDR helps you to reprocess your thoughts and feelings that surrounded an event. It can be a powerful tool for recovery if administered correctly. I have only had a few sets done this past year but I am so sold on its ability and yet very stumped on how it works. All I know is that it really seemed to help me feel differently about certain situations in a matter of minutes.

My strong recommendation is to go buy the book entitled "EMDR" by Francine *******. This book is a great book to explain EMDR and its treatment. (******* is the director of the EMDR Institute)

The following is quoted from the book: "There are more controlled studies supporting the effectiveness of EMDR than any other method used in the treatment of trauma. In most recent studies, 84 to 90 percent of the people using EMDR have recovered from PTSD in only 3 sessions. Before EMDR, this was unheard of. Other psychological methods for healing trauma have achieved no more than 55 percent success rate in 7 to 15 sessions. Nonetheless, extraordinary claims demand extraordinary proof. The ongoing research supports EMDR's efficiency and people's stories keep coming in”.

I hope this helps and I wish you the best.