Dr Crissy Scott Psychologist

All therapy continues to be remote, no face to face appointments available (Updated 2024)

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences.  EMDR therapy shows that the mind can in fact heal from psychological trauma.  EMDR can assist the brain with information processing and allow the individual to move towards more positive mental health and look at their experiences in a different way. Clients may have a block or imbalance due to a traumatic event which once removed can facilitate commencement of the healing process.

There is a lot of research to support the effectiveness of EMDR, with 30 studies showing 84%-90% of single-trauma victims no longer had post-traumatic stress disorder after only three 90-minute sessions. A small number of sessions maybe beneficial for single trauma incidents however, some individuals may have multiple traumas which will require a larger number of sessions, for example, 10-18 sessions. Sessions can be 60-90 minutes depending on the client’s needs and preferences. If the sessions are being covered by insurance, then sessions are 60 minutes as advised by insurance companies.

EMDR therapy focuses on three time periods, the past, present and the future. In most instances we will begin with the past and work our way to the concerns about the future.  For each traumatic experience we work through the 8 stages of the EMDR protocol or process. As part of the process, we use eye movement or another form of bilateral stimulation, for example moving my hand back and forth in front the client’s field of vision or sounds in your headphones.

What can EMDR be used for?

EMDR can help with a wide range of traumatic experiences, big and small.  Mostly EMDR is used for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and other trauma, however as trauma can be behind many of our anxieties and distressing thoughts it can be used as part of a treatment plan for panic disorder, OCD and other difficulties.

Presently I offer EMDR for single incident traumas such as sexual trauma and road traffic collisions.

Adapted from EMDR Institute.