EMDR
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of body-mind psychotherapy that was developed by Francine Shapiro to resolve the development of trauma-related disorders caused by exposure to distressing, traumatizing, or negative life events, such as rape or military combat. According to Shapiro’s theory, when a traumatic or distressing experience occurs, it may overwhelm usual cognitive and neurological coping mechanisms. The memory and associated stimuli of the event are inadequately processed, and are dysfunctionally stored in an isolated memory network. The goal of EMDR therapy is to process these distressing memories, reducing their lingering influence and allowing clients to develop more adaptive coping mechanisms.
For example, in a session of EMDR, a patient may be asked to bring attention to an unpleasant image in their mind, as well as negative beliefs and body sensations associated with the traumatic event. At the same time, the patient is asked to move his eyes side-to-side for several seconds. Afterward, the patient will breathe deeply and discuss what was brought up during the exercise. Whatever was brought up can then be used for further treatment. This cycle continues until patient’s distress has reduced.
Although some clinicians may use EMDR for other problems, its research support is primarily for disorders stemming from distressing life experiences, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
EFT
Emotion-focused Therapy (EFT) is a unique empirically-based approach, based on methods designed to help people accept, express, regulate, make sense of and transform emotion. Recent years have seen a growth of EFT in individual and couples therapy, both because of its status as an evidence-based treatment, and also because the EFT approach focuses on the development of emotional intelligence and on the importance of secure relationships. Because of these emphases, EFT offers an alternative to more technically-oriented evidence-based treatments.
EFT works on the basic principle that to change, people cannot leave a place until they have arrived. Clients therefore need to reclaim disowned experience before they can be changed by or change that experience. In this process, it is not that people simply discover things they did not know but rather that they become aware of and experience aspects of themselves they have not consciously felt or may have previously disclaimed, dismissed, or pushed away.
What Is Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFT)?
The message of EFT is simple: Forget about learning how to argue better, analyzing your early childhood, making grand romantic gestures, or experimenting with new sexual positions. Instead, recognize and admit that you are emotionally attached to and dependent on your partner in much the same way that a child is on a parent for nurturing, soothing, and protection. EFT focuses on creating and strengthening this emotional bond by identifying and transforming the key moments that foster an adult loving relationship.
- EFT has an astounding 70 – 75% success rate and results have been shown to last, even in the face of significant stress.
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EFT is recognized by the American Psychological Association as empirically proven.
DISASTER TRAUMA
CULT SURVIVORS
EATING PROBLEMS