The future of therapy, EMDR?

First of all, what is EMDR?

Well EMDR stands for Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, and it is an integrative, person-centered approach to therapy that aims to treat problems of daily living based on disturbing life experiences that continue to have a negative impact on the person. The theory behind it hypothesizes that current difficulties people maybe facing right now are due to disturbing memories that are not processed enough, and with dual attention bilateral stimulation, which basically means rhythmic side-to-side pattern of external stimulus that can be either visual, auditory, or tactile, these disturbed memories will be reconsolidated.

Where is EMDR used?

Currently there is strong empirical evidence for the use of this treatment in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and it has also been found to be an effective treatment if other mental diagnoses, such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders as well. As it stands, EMDR has demonstrated itself as a strong therapeutic tool that therapists from various cultural contexts use in versatile approaches, and as EMDR techniques continue to be incorporated into different programs addressing workplace stress, educational settings, and even disaster relief efforts, this method of therapy continues to foster even more.

Future of EMDR:

As EMDR is on its way to become perhaps one of the leading therapies of the 21st century, it is without doubt that EMDR therapy will only continue to develop itself into new areas within the mental health field. And with the standard protocol being accessible, affordable and effective for most, the advantages of EMDR therapy will be going up even more. With the practicality of EMDR therapy, perhaps we may even see EMDR therapy in fields that were thought to be unrelated as well, who knows?

Reference:
Laliotis, D., Luber, M., Oren, U., Shapiro, E., Ichii, M., Hase, M., La Rosa, L., Alter-Reid, K., & St. Jammes, J. T. (2021). What is EMDR therapy? past, present, and Future Directions. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 15(4), 186–201. https://doi.org/10.1891/emdr-d-21-00029