North Wales and Chester Clinical Wellness Centre

EMDR Practitioner Course - Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing

A two day practitioner course for therapists.

EMDR is a comprehensive psychological therapy. It is used to reduce negative thought processes, whilst boosting positive thought processes. As such it is a highly effective therapy when used with survivors of trauma (emotional and physical), sexual abuse survivors, and others with persistent memories of events that are linked to negative behaviour patterns in the present.

EMDR can be a relatively simple process as experienced by the client. It is fairly rapid and there is not generally a requirement to remain in prolonged therapy over a large number of sessions or months. In fact, some clients will reach a positive conclusion within 3 - 5 sessions, depending on their own individual requirements and presenting issue.

EMDR therapy allows the brain to use natural mechanisms to reduce the severity and longevity of distressing memories. It is not a new therapy and was first scientifically researched in 1988 by Francine Shapiro. EMDR is and evidence based therapy and as such the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have, since 2004, recommended the appropriate use of EMDR in recovery from traumatic experiences. In 2013 the World Health Organisation (WHO) practice guidelines stated that trauma-focused CBT and EMDR therapy are the only psychotherapies recommended for children, adolescents, and adults with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Following extensive research, EMDR therapy is now considered to be the most effective and rapid therapy for bringing about healing of PTSD.

EMDR is used to bring about rapid change via the reprocessing of previously poorly processed information. It allows the client to change the way in which they perceive past experiences, and brings about an experience of more positive emotions and behaviours when recalling negative memories.

EMDR is suitable for both adults and children. Sessions are individally tailored to suit the needs of the client. A thorough history taking allows the best possible use of EMDR therapy. Sessions last on average around an hour, although this is likely to be significantly reduced with children, and those who tire quickly. EMDR may be combined with other therapies, and this will be discussed will prospective clients prior to treatment being agreed upon.

This course includes:

The neuropsychology of information processing and memory retrieval
The neuropsychology of post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety
Anatomy and physiology of relevant brain areas
The psychological and biological effects of short and long term trauma and stress
How EMDR is believed to work
The uses of EMDR including the 8 phases
- History
- Preparation
- Assessment
- Desensitisation
- Installation
- Body scanning
- Closure
- Evaluation/Re-evaluation