From the EMDR International Association's Definition of EMDR

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy was developed by Francine Shapiro in 1987. It was initially used to treat trauma survivors, but it is now also used with phobias and other problems. The scientifically proven treatment, that has undergone rigorous validation studies, includes elements from several different schools of therapy.  Studies show that EMDR is highly effective and the results are long lasting.

For example, a study in The Journal of Consulting and Clinical

Psychology showed that 80 subjects with PTSD using EMDR improved significantly, and further study showed that this improvement was seen for at least 15 months later. 

EMDR does not just treat trauma patients. Clinicians have noted success with this treatment in these areas: 

• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
• Panic attacks 
• Addictions 
• Dissociative disorders 
• Disturbing memories 
• Anxiety disorders 
• Phobias 
• Performance anxiety 
• Stress reduction 
• Complicated grief 
• Sexual and/or physical abuse
  

How does EMDR work?

It has been learned that painful or traumatic experiences are stored in a different place in the brain than are pleasant or neutral ones. Normally we work through these negative experiences by talking about it, dreaming about it, etc. We are able to put it behind us. However many traumatic experiences seem to be "stuck" in the brain. Even after years of talk therapy, the intensity of painful feelings about a particular trauma could remain the same without change. 

 Some people feel that EMDR is able to "un-stick" these experiences so that it reconnects with the healthy brain and then is reprocessed and integrated at an accelerated speed. The theory is that the rapid eye movement in EMDR creates similar brain activity to REM (rapid eye movement) that we experience during sleep. This REM assists us in processing ideas and resolves conflicts. We are able to work through things. We still retain the memory but without the emotional pain and the feelings of smell, taste, etc. of the event. 

"The most liberating therapy that I have experienced in the almost 8

years since I began this journey of returning to the world of the 'As close to normal as possible'." - 'A Woman's Experience with using EMDR to Heal Sexual Abuse' 

"I cannot explain in words how this worked, but I tell you from my

heart that today I have been able to start my life over, thanks to EMDR" - From 'Eponine's Story:  Healing from Traumatic Loss'

 
How well researched and scientifically proven is EMDR?
 
* A meta-analysis in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, determined that EMDR and behavior therapy were superior to psycho-pharmaceuticals. EMDR was more efficient than behavior therapy, with results obtained in one-third the time.

* A study funded by Kaiser Permanent and published in the journal Psychotherapy show that 100% of single-trauma and 80% of multiple-trauma survivors were no longer diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after six 50-minute sessions of EMDR.

* In September 2000, EMDR was accepted by the management of the Vanderbilt Mental Health Center in Nashville as 1 of only 3 acceptable treatment methods for their seriously and consistently mentally ill patients.

 * Research presented in 2003 in Chicago by Dr. Bessel A. vander Kolk, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry at Boston University Medical School,shows EMDR to be more effective than the SSRI's drugs like Prozac & Zoloft).

 * As of 2002, more than 20 controlled outcome studies of EMDR have already been published and/or presented. These studies all found EMDR superior to the control condition on measures of PTSD, with EMDR using fewer treatment sessions to achieve effects. Follow up studies at intervals up to 5 years after treatment have indicated a high level of maintenance of treatment effects.

* There are more controlled studies that have evaluated the effectiveness of EMDR in the treatment of PTSD than any other method.

 * EMDR is on the American Psychological Association Division of Clinical Psychology's list of empirically validated methods. Only two other methods are even on this list for the treatment of TSD.

* EMDR is recognized by The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and the United Kingdom Department of Health

 * The American Red Cross, the FBI, the International Critical Incident Stress Management Foundation, and major HMO's such as Kaiser And Value Options endorse EMDR.
 * EMDR was used extensively to treat survivors in the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing, and in New York after 9-11.
* A study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology found that 70% of EMDR participants achieved a good outcome in three active treatment sessions, compared to 29% of persons in a comparative prolonged exposure condition. 

- adapted from www.emdr.com