EMDR Is a Different ‘View’ on Mental Health and It’s Getting Big Results

What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR therapy, or eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy, is a structured treatment for PTSD. It involves focusing on the traumatic memory at the same time as doing repeated eye movements. By doing this, the brain can mimic the memory processing characteristics of REM sleep, thus desensitising itself to and reprocessing the incident. It might sound made up, but it has been used successfully as early as 2009 to treat PTSD. It has been endorsed by the World Health Organisation, The Australian Psychological Society, The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, and the American Psychiatric Association. Having years of research and practise behind it, EMDR therapy is a path worth exploring when looking for support. 

It can be used to treat:

• Anxiety
• Phobias
• Personality disorders
• Panic attacks
• Chronic pain
• Depression
• Complicated grief
• Eating Disorders

EMDR Therapy Program, What to Expect

The EDMR therapy process often starts with a 60-minute appointment, and clients are given a workbook they are required to complete two weeks prior to their EMDR session. During the session itself, the client is guided to move their eyes left or right by the therapist while thinking about a particular disturbing issue or event. This stimulation is repeated throughout the session with pauses and reflections in between. It continues until the memory or issue becomes less disturbing to the client, and different insights about it emerge. Afterwards, the therapist will debrief the session and conclude with a grounding or relaxation exercise. These sessions are often combined with group therapy to increase support and solidarity among patients who are undergoing EMDR treatment.

Accessing Mental Health Services

Melbourne has seen a massive surge in reported mental health issues in both young people and women. It started with Covid but continues to be an issue. With excessive waiting lists for public beds making accessing therapy in Melbourne a struggle, it can be hard to find appropriate mental health support. However, for those who are in need of support, private admission to a mental health clinic is an option.

As an alternative to in-patient admission, Clarity Health Care has developed an innovative approach to mental health care. This approach is about keeping people out of hospital by offering all the support they would get in hospital at their local clinic. Services at the Melbourne Mental Health Clinics  include psychiatry, psychology, and allied health services available in one location. With EDMR therapy Melbourne residents can readily access and community-based support and custom management that you can access through your phone, there is professional help available through these clinics.