Which EMDR Training is Best? Exploring the Most Effective Methods for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing
A man wearing goggles with swirling eyes painted on them against a black background.
Understanding EMDR Therapy
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a comprehensive psychotherapy that helps you process and recover from past experiences that are affecting your mental health and wellbeing. It involves using side to side eye movements combined with talk therapy in a specific and structured format. EMDR helps you process the negative images, emotions, beliefs, and body sensations associated with traumatic memories that seem to be stuck. These can contribute to a range of mental health problems. EMDR helps you to see things from a different perspective and relieves the symptoms that you were suffering.
What is EMDR?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a therapeutic approach that aims to help individuals recover from trauma and other distressing life experiences. It is a structured therapy that involves focusing briefly on traumatic memories while experiencing bilateral stimulation, typically through eye movements. EMDR has been extensively researched and has been proven effective in treating trauma and PTSD symptoms. It can also be helpful for a range of mental health difficulties, including anxiety, depression, addictions, behavioral difficulties, relationship issues, and more serious mental illnesses such as psychosis and personality disorders.
How does EMDR work?
EMDR has a specific structure, and a therapist will work through several stages with you. These stages include assessing your current symptoms and readiness for EMDR, understanding how your past has shaped your present, and explaining the impact of trauma on the mind. One of the first stages is understanding how past events have influenced your current state and identifying the traumatic memories that need to be processed for your recovery. Client safety is of utmost importance during this process, and therapists ensure that clients are prepared for the processing of traumatic memories.
The next part of the therapy involves accessing the traumatic memories and starting bilateral stimulation. This can be achieved through various methods, such as making eye movements from side to side, listening to alternating sounds in headphones, or tapping either side of the body. The eye movements used in EMDR therapy may resemble rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which occurs during dreaming. By engaging in bilateral stimulation, clients are able to access their subconscious mind and process the stored traumatic memories.
The therapist helps facilitate the natural healing process, allowing clients to reframe and replace the negative or traumatic images and memories with more positive and adaptive ones. The goal is to view these memories from a different perspective, so they no longer feel distressing. EMDR therapy can bring about a remarkable change in how people feel, transforming feelings of terror or shame into calmness and empowerment.
What can EMDR help with?
EMDR was initially developed and is best known as a therapy for treating trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is recognized by reputable organizations such as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the World Health Organization (WHO) as an effective treatment for PTSD.
However, EMDR can also be used to help with a wide range of mental health difficulties, including anxiety, depression, addictions, behavioral issues, relationship problems, and more serious mental illnesses such as psychosis and personality disorders.
Many of these problems may be rooted in some form of trauma, whether it occurred during childhood or adulthood. Sometimes, it may not be obvious that trauma is the underlying cause of these difficulties. EMDR therapy helps to uncover and process these underlying traumas, providing healing and relief from associated symptoms.
Effectiveness of EMDR Therapy
Positive clinical outcomes and research support have demonstrated the effectiveness of EMDR therapy in treating various mental health conditions. EMDR has been shown to be a helpful treatment for disorders such as anxiety, depression, OCD, chronic pain, addictions, and other distressing life experiences.
In fact, research has found that EMDR therapy has been more effective than Prozac in trauma treatment. The therapy has successfully treated over 7 million people worldwide, with 110,000 therapists utilizing the approach in 130 countries since 2016.
EMDR therapy is recognized and endorsed by reputable organizations such as the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the U.K. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and the World Health Organization. These organizations acknowledge the efficacy of EMDR therapy as a treatment for various mental health conditions.
Choosing the Best EMDR Training
EMDR therapy requires therapists to undergo specific training and possess the necessary skills to deliver it safely and competently. When choosing an EMDR therapist, it is essential to consider their qualifications, accreditations, and training. Therapists who wish to train in EMDR must already be accredited by professional bodies such as the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
To ensure that you choose the best EMDR therapist, it is recommended to review their specific EMDR training and qualifications. This information can usually be found on their website or the EMDR Association UK website. You can also utilize resources such as the BACP's therapist directory to search for therapists who have received EMDR training. Asking about a therapist's qualifications and EMDR training during your initial enquiry can also provide valuable insight into their expertise in utilizing this therapy approach.
Exploring EMDR Association and Resources
The EMDR Association UK plays a significant role in accrediting EMDR therapists. As a prospective EMDR therapy client, it can be helpful to explore the association's website and resources to gain more information about EMDR therapy and find qualified therapists. The EMDR Association UK website provides access to a directory of EMDR therapists, allowing you to find therapists with specific EMDR training and qualifications.
Utilizing resources such as the EMDR Association UK website, therapist directories, and other EMDR-specific resources can aid in finding the best therapist for your needs. These resources provide valuable information about the EMDR therapy approach, therapist qualifications, and training requirements. By utilizing these resources, you can ensure that you receive treatment from a qualified and competent EMDR therapist.
FAQs
What is EMDR training?
EMDR training is a specialized form of therapy training that equips therapists with the necessary skills and knowledge to deliver EMDR therapy to clients. It involves learning the principles, techniques, and protocols of EMDR therapy, as well as understanding the theory behind the approach. Therapists undergo specific training courses and often engage in ongoing professional development to enhance their proficiency in utilizing EMDR therapy effectively.
What does the best EMDR training involve?
The best EMDR training programs provide therapists with a comprehensive understanding of EMDR therapy and equip them with the necessary skills to deliver the therapy safely and competently. Training programs typically cover the theoretical foundations of EMDR, the eight-phase protocol of EMDR therapy, and practical exercises to develop skills in utilizing bilateral stimulation and processing traumatic memories. The best EMDR training involves a combination of theoretical learning, practical application, and supervised practice to ensure therapists are proficient in delivering EMDR therapy.
How to choose the best EMDR training program?
When selecting an EMDR training program, it is important to consider factors such as the reputation and accreditation of the training provider, the expertise and qualifications of the trainers, the duration and format of the training, and any additional support or resources provided during and after the training. It is recommended to choose a training program that is accredited by reputable organizations such as the EMDR Association UK and led by experienced trainers with a strong clinical background in EMDR therapy.
Are there specific factors to consider when determining the best EMDR training?
When determining the best EMDR training, it is essential to consider factors such as the training provider's accreditation, the trainers' qualifications and experience, the training program's content and structure, the availability of ongoing support and supervision, and any additional resources or materials provided. It may also be beneficial to seek recommendations from other professionals in the field or individuals who have undergone EMDR therapy themselves.
In conclusion, EMDR therapy is a powerful and effective approach for treating trauma and a range of mental health difficulties. Its structured format, utilization of bilateral stimulation, and transformative potential have made it a recognized and endorsed therapy worldwide. When seeking EMDR therapy, it is important to choose a qualified and competent therapist who has undergone specialized EMDR training. By utilizing resources such as the EMDR Association UK and specific EMDR therapy directories, individuals can find therapists with the necessary qualifications and expertise to provide effective EMDR treatment.