EMDR therapy and "parts" work

 

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) has grown in popularity since its inception in 1987 for treating a wide range of health problems. 

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EMDR practitioners believe the mind has its own natural coping mechanisms. These natural coping mechanisms occur during REM sleep.

 

The process of bilateral stimulation (a stimuli which occurs in a rhythmic pattern left to right) is utilized when processing triggering thoughts, emotions and physiological symptoms. This desensitization and reprocessing process has many positive impacts on your thoughts, feelings, and body responses. 

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"Parts work" has been utilized since the 1980's. Due to social media making information more readily available, Parts work like Transactional Analysis and Internal Family Systems has gained steady attention in the past 5 years. 

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Parts work suggest the mind is made up of several "parts" with a core self underneath. Like members of a family, these parts often take on roles, have their own viewpoints, interests and memories. Much like families, these parts aren't always working together to create a harmonious atmosphere.

 

A system chronically met with conflicting parts is an overwhelmed and disrupted system. The goal of parts work is to bring about harmony between these conflicting parts. 

 

An interweaving of EMDR and parts work is utilized to bring about a more relaxed nervous system and the consistency of the authentic, secure self. 

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In addition to its use for the treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, EMDR/Parts work has been successfully used to treat:

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• anxiety and panic attacks

• depression

•  flashbacks/nightmares/sleep issues

• complicated grief

• addictions

• physical pain relief

• self-esteem

• disordered eating/emotional eating

• fight/flight/freeze/fawn responses

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