EMDR
EMDR is an acronym for "Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing" and was developed in the late 1980's by Francine Shapiro, PhD.
EMDR's goals are to similar to those of any good psychotherapy: (a) to enhance emotional stability, (b) to access and develop inner resources and strengths, (c) to facilitate the resolution of troubling life experiences, and d) to promote well-being and healthy functioning.
It is EMDR's way of accomplishing those goals that is unique -- for it blends insights from applied kinesiology and cognitive-behavioral therapy with cutting-edge information-processing/memory theory.
Sometimes the normal processing of life events is disrupted or incomplete. This occurs most often when a high level of stress, danger or trauma is experienced. Why is that important?
Well, if the normal cognitive, emotional and somatic processing of an event is disrupted or incomplete, what gets stored in memory are jumbled components of that event. Those jumbled components can then link in mis-matched ways with other memories tainting even positive new experiences. The resulting distortions can later appear as the varied symptoms of emotional distress, self-limiting beliefs and somatic dis-regulation.
EMDR has shown that mental and emotional well-being can be improved (a) when that past disturbing event is correctively processed; (b) when present-day "triggers" are de-sensitized; and (c) when new positive emotional and neural associations are made. To facilitate this, EMDR uses back-and-forth eye movements to stimulate bilateral brain function and re-processing.
In applied kinesiology, bilateral stimulation techniques are known to activate both left and right hemispheres of the brain and to coordinate their different styles of processing and learning information and this memory. While EMDR uses a series of back-and-forth eye movements to accomplish this, other approaches may use sound or body movements.
Ms. Carboni is also trained in "Brain Gym", a program of bilateral body-movement exercises designed to improve children's learning capacities. In her practice, she has found that several of these movements (especially in combination with Bioenergetic excersies) can enhance self-soothing and focussing for adults as well.
When the back-and-forth eye movements are combined with the EMDR therapy protocol -- a series of questions derived in part from cognitive-behavioral therapy, then healthy de-sensitization and re-processing of previously disturbing events is enabled.
With EMDR, those disturbing memories are not erased; they remain part of one’s history and memory. The difference, however, is that after EMDR treatment, those memories or experiences no longer produce the emotional distress, psychological symptoms and somatic upset they had before. Thus, the way is cleared for restoring or creating a positive sense of self and healthy functioning.
Although EMDR is best known for its resolution of post-traumatic stress disorders, it is now being used to treat stress, anxiety, depression and addictive behaviors. Most recently, and in concert with positive psychology, it is also being applied to enhance peak performance and boost self-confidence and concentration.
EMDR's goals are to similar to those of any good psychotherapy: (a) to enhance emotional stability, (b) to access and develop inner resources and strengths, (c) to facilitate the resolution of troubling life experiences, and d) to promote well-being and healthy functioning.
It is EMDR's way of accomplishing those goals that is unique -- for it blends insights from applied kinesiology and cognitive-behavioral therapy with cutting-edge information-processing/memory theory.
Sometimes the normal processing of life events is disrupted or incomplete. This occurs most often when a high level of stress, danger or trauma is experienced. Why is that important?
Well, if the normal cognitive, emotional and somatic processing of an event is disrupted or incomplete, what gets stored in memory are jumbled components of that event. Those jumbled components can then link in mis-matched ways with other memories tainting even positive new experiences. The resulting distortions can later appear as the varied symptoms of emotional distress, self-limiting beliefs and somatic dis-regulation.
EMDR has shown that mental and emotional well-being can be improved (a) when that past disturbing event is correctively processed; (b) when present-day "triggers" are de-sensitized; and (c) when new positive emotional and neural associations are made. To facilitate this, EMDR uses back-and-forth eye movements to stimulate bilateral brain function and re-processing.
In applied kinesiology, bilateral stimulation techniques are known to activate both left and right hemispheres of the brain and to coordinate their different styles of processing and learning information and this memory. While EMDR uses a series of back-and-forth eye movements to accomplish this, other approaches may use sound or body movements.
Ms. Carboni is also trained in "Brain Gym", a program of bilateral body-movement exercises designed to improve children's learning capacities. In her practice, she has found that several of these movements (especially in combination with Bioenergetic excersies) can enhance self-soothing and focussing for adults as well.
When the back-and-forth eye movements are combined with the EMDR therapy protocol -- a series of questions derived in part from cognitive-behavioral therapy, then healthy de-sensitization and re-processing of previously disturbing events is enabled.
With EMDR, those disturbing memories are not erased; they remain part of one’s history and memory. The difference, however, is that after EMDR treatment, those memories or experiences no longer produce the emotional distress, psychological symptoms and somatic upset they had before. Thus, the way is cleared for restoring or creating a positive sense of self and healthy functioning.
Although EMDR is best known for its resolution of post-traumatic stress disorders, it is now being used to treat stress, anxiety, depression and addictive behaviors. Most recently, and in concert with positive psychology, it is also being applied to enhance peak performance and boost self-confidence and concentration.
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"Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."
-- Reinhold Niebuhr |
