EMDR Therapy in Hong Kong
You know it happened in the past. So why can it still feel so present?
EMDR helps the brain process traumatic and adverse experiences that continue to affect us, so that we can respond to the present without being pulled back into the past.
What is EMDR therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is an evidence-based therapy used to process traumatic, difficult or overwhelming experiences.
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Something may have happened years ago, yet still affect how you feel or react today. EMDR therapy helps you process these memories so they become less distressing and feel more firmly in the past.
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You may follow a moving light with your eyes, hold small pulsators that gently buzz in your hands, or listen to alternating sounds through headphones.
What is trauma?
Trauma is not defined only by what happened to you, but also by how you were able to cope with it afterwards.
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It can result from a single traumatic experience, such as an accident, assault or sudden loss. But it can also develop through repeated experiences over time.
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Childhood trauma can come from abuse or neglect, but also from growing up without enough safety, emotional support or acceptance.
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How can EMDR therapy change my trauma?
The way you dealt with a traumatic experience was probably very helpful at the time. The problem is that those emotions and reactions may no longer be needed, but you keep having them.
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Eye movements or other types of stimulation, used in a safe environment, help you process these past experiences and see to the memories in a new way.
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The memories won't disappear, but the emotions can become less intense and the way you respond to situations in your life can change.
What happens during an EMDR therapy session?
You will share some of the difficult experiences from your past, but you don't need to describe everything in detail. Together with your EMDR therapist, you decide which memories would be most useful to work on first.
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You will try different forms of bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, gentle pulsations or alternating sounds, to find what works best for you.
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Emotions, thoughts or memories may come up during EMDR. Before processing begins, you will learn techniques to help you manage these if they become difficult.
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You remain in control throughout. You can slow down, pause or stop at any time.
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Read more about EMDR
EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)
A comprehensive introduction to EMDR, including how it works, what to expect, and the theory behind the approach.
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American Psychological Association (APA)
An accessible, independent overview of EMDR, including what the therapy involves and what research tells us about it.
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Harvard Health Publishing
A straightforward explanation of EMDR, how it is thought to work, and the range of difficulties it may help with.
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Every Memory Deserves Respect — Michael Baldwin & Deborah L. Korn
A reader-friendly book about trauma and EMDR, combining a client's personal experience with explanations from an experienced EMDR therapist
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