EMDR

EMDR – or Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing – allows for a memory to be ‘reconfigured’ by the client, and framed in a more positive, less judgemental way. It sounds complicated, but in its essence this is a psychotherapeutic treatment that reflects how memories are both processed and stored. Because of its ability to help individuals overcome traumatic memories, EMDR has found particular prominence in the treatment of conditions such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Several randomised controlled trials have determined the effectiveness of EMDR in treating trauma-based disorders, making it comparable with trauma-focussed CBT in that it has a strong clinical evidence base. EMDR and CBT are the two types of therapeutic intervention currently recommended by the NICE Guidelines for the treatment of PTSD.