PREPARED BY: DİLEK GÜREL (EXPERT PSYCHOLOGIST – EMDR THERAPIST)
WHAT IS EMDR THERAPY?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapy was founded in 1897 by a US Clinic
It is a type of psychotherapy developed by psychologist Farencine Shapiro as a result of many years of research and practice.
EMDR has been tested in many studies and its effectiveness
has been scientifically proven and is now approved by the World Health Organization as the first priority treatment option for anxiety disorders
. The basic hypothesis of EMDR can be briefly explained as follows: The negative traumatic events we experience are kept in irregular piles in our brain, instead of being recorded in the memory center like our other memories. Without you realizing it, the slightest sound, color, smell,
image, etc. Memories are triggered by a stimulus, and you find yourself feeling restless,
anxious, unhappy, without understanding why. When a memory from your childhood that you thought you had forgotten
is triggered, it is remembered with the same freshness even if you are 70 years old. Traumatic experiences do not necessarily have to be major
events. Humiliation, scolding, being humiliated, constantly being exposed to intense maltreatment, physical, emotional violence, poverty, shame, feelings of guilt, the role of parents at a young age that you were exposed to during childhood. being forced to undertake etc. Experiences also create great trauma effects in their total
. Even if we do not remember the traumatic event or situation completely,
the negative emotions we feel inside, sudden inappropriate outbursts of anger, medically unexplained pain or strange physical sensations, uncontrolled eating and drinking behaviors, etc. Even the scars are a clue
. Bidirectional stimulation in EMDR enables traumatic memory networks to be accessed and processed and neutralized. Just like our body, our brain has the potential to heal itself.
EMDR is the only method that initiates and completes this healing. As traumatic memories are eliminated with EMDR, positive beliefs and emotions in the brain are revealed again, and in this way, the person becomes The day becomes more comfortable, peaceful, happy, self-confident and begins to reveal its potential
. Memories processed with EMDR are irreversible, meaning that a memory you get rid of cannot disturb you again. primarily;
Anxiety Disorders (Current concerns, future anxiety, general anxiety disorder)
Fears (Airplane, Animal, Closed Place, Death, etc.)
Obsession Disorders (OCD)
Chronic Pain (Migraine, Fibromyalgia, etc.)
Exam / Performance Anxiety
Depression
Panic Attack
Loss – Grief traumas
Pathological (obsessive) Love
Addictions (alcohol, cigarettes, substances, etc.)
Eating Disorders
Coping with bad childhood experiences
Sexual abuse-abuse-cheating etc. coping with events
Getting rid of the effects of all natural or human-made negative life events
etc. In addition to being used for problems;
It is also used to increase the mental capacity of a person to achieve a goal, which is called "Performance Enhancement". Schizophrenia and Personality Disorders are other areas that have just started to be used
.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN EMDR AND HYPNOSIS?
EMDR is more like Hypnosis. It is a different treatment. In hypnosis, the individual's consciousness is closed and some suggestions are given to him/her. In EMDR, the individual's consciousness is completely open and the therapist follows the entire process step by step.
In fact, the client's awareness must be completely open. There are big differences between hypnosis and hypnosis in terms of the areas stimulated or used in the brain and even the brain waves.
HOW IS EMDR APPLIED?
EMDR was first applied to rhythmic eye movements applied by the therapist. Although it started in the form of following
, it was later determined to have the same successful effect in different auditory or tactile stimulations. In order to standardize, EMDR devices were later produced and different combinations were added to these devices. Order of therapy The client carries out this process with the guidance of the therapist. The process is carried out by carefully monitoring the reflections of bidirectional stimulation on the individual. These devices have no side effects or dangers. During the session
the therapist asks you to pay attention to the thoughts or body sensations passing through your mind. This
can be tiring, so you should not be hungry, tired, or rushed if you have urgent work to do.
When you leave; You may feel the need to rest. Therefore, it will be to your benefit to allocate special time for your sessions.
WHO DECIDES ABOUT EMDR THERAPY? HOW DOES THE PROCESS WORK?
A client who applies to receive EMDR therapy is evaluated by the specialist. is evaluated from every angle. If necessary
Psychological tests are also applied. Because, although it is a very effective therapy, the client must be suitable and
ready. Applying EMDR to clients without preparation sessions may cause them to experience stress that they cannot handle. During the preliminary meeting, the therapist's experience knowledge comes into play and evaluates it. In addition, clients who are not suitable for EMDR or who cannot adapt to EMDR may benefit from other psychotherapies.
HOW MANY SESSIONS DOES IT TAKE?
This depends on each client, their problem, the severity of their problems, Its intensity varies depending on its density. It is not a one-session
therapy. A single trauma/event can be resolved in a single session, but this may take longer depending on the individual's situation and circumstances. The effects of levels 1-4 are seen as healthier. Even though it is very short and rapid compared to other therapies, the process is very important
. As the sessions progress, people's self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-perception continue to increase.
and the client begins to feel stronger and more secure, and gains the power to cope better with events, situations, and people. They see that they can easily take on situations where they could not show courage and strength before, and that they can do them successfully.
ARE MEDICATIONS USED DURING EMDR?
When you apply for EMDR therapy, the medications prescribed by your doctor. information is obtained about them
but they are never intervened, however, as the therapy progresses, your doctor will increase your doses
goes to reduce or cut. If you are not taking any medication at the beginning, your therapist will decide to continue without medication if he/she evaluates that you can solve your problem without medication
only with EMDR. However, if he decides that you need medication support
, he will refer you to a doctor, and in some cases, medication and EMDR continue together for a while
IS EMDR APPLIED TO CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS?
EMDR can be applied to children and even babies in simple forms. However, the therapist who will apply EMDR to children and adolescents must have an EMDR for Children certificate. Someone who has an EMDR for adults certificate cannot practice on children with this certificate. Because
EMDR procedures applied for children are different.
EMDR in Children and Adolescents;
School fears and anxieties
Peer experiences at school bullying, introversion, self-confidence problems
Sexual assaults
Specific learning difficulties, dyslexia, mathematics, etc. class fears
Lost mourning experiences, exposure to natural disasters
Exam/performance anxiety
Performance enhancement, etc.
Eating problems
Attention deficit, impulsivity
Computer/game etc. addictions
Behavior and adaptation problems
It has been used successfully and effectively in various problems.
EMDR CAN BE APPLIED INDIVIDUALLY, AS WELL AS IT CAN BE EXPOSED TO THE SAME TRAUMATIC EVENT
IT CAN ALSO BE APPLIED IN GROUPS AND IN COUPLE THERAPY FORMS FOR PROBLEMS BETWEEN COUPLES
. ITS EFFECT AND SPEED CAN BE INCREASED BY ENRICHING WITH DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES AND METHODS.
WHAT SHOULD I CONSIDER IF I WANT TO GET EMDR THERAPY? It leads to abuse of clients in the field. Therefore, in order to be a conscious consumer, check whether the EMDR therapist you will go to is a MEMBER of the EMDR TURKEY ASSOCIATION and, if possible, a psychologist.
It is possible to find out whether the therapist is registered or his/her education level on the website or by calling the association in person.
II. It should be ensured that he/she has a Level EMDR diploma.
� �� EMDR session lasts at least 60 minutes (for adults) and no EMDR session is less than 15-20 minutes.
is executed. He can't just put a device on you and go or just wait. It follows the treatment protocol in a structured form, second by second, with question and answer
.
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