E.M.D.R

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

EMDR and psychoanalysis are not in opposition of each other. I use EMDR as an additional tool. After my experience of September 11th 2001 in New York, I wanted to add a tool to treat PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder). I then realized that EMDR was not just about PTSD, but that it could be expanded to other sufferings as well.

EMDR psychotherapy was discovered in 1987 by an American psychologist Francine Shapiro.

The American Psychological Association (APA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) officially recognizes the EMDR as an effective treatment for PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

Treatment involves three stages: past events, current triggers, and the desirable future states.

EMDR is based on the principle that when trauma (information about the trauma such as emotions, thoughts, beliefs, physical sensations etc.) is stuck in the nervous system it therefore remains untreated and dysfunctional.

Treatment with EMDR will allow for the reorganization and treatment of memories in the brain which will then allow for a more suitable solution and therefore more manageable arrangement in the nervous system. A combination of rigorous procedures and protocols will be used as well.

The therapist uses one of the elements of EMDR: bilateral stimulation. This is done by a stimulation of eye movements (REM-similar to the Rapid Eye Movement in the dream phase), “tapping”, or acoustic stimuli.

This method of treatment involves a relationship of trust between the patient and the therapist. That is why I do not start EMDR’s bilateral stimulation (eye movement or “tapping”) the first time I see the patient in session. My ethics require that the patient feels safe first.