What is EMDR and AF-EMDR?
About EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful and effective therapy for the treatment of trauma. EMDR therapy incorporates eye movements or other bilateral stimulation into a comprehensive approach that processes and releases information trapped in the mind and body, freeing people from disturbing images and body sensations, debilitating emotions, and restrictive beliefs. This revolutionary therapy has helped millions of clients of all ages recover from such traumas as war, accidents, assaults, disasters, and childhood abuse. EMDR has been extensively researched as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and is considered to be an evidence-based therapy.
In addition to the treatment of PTSD, EMDR is also used to treat the psychological effects of smaller traumas that manifest in symptoms of depression, anxiety, phobias, low self-esteem, creativity blocks, and relationship difficulties. Not only does healing occur much more rapidly than in traditional therapy, but as a result of EMDR’s clearing of emotional and physical blockages, many people also experience a sense of joy, openness, and deep connection with others. EMDR is a quantum leap in the human ability to heal trauma and maladaptive beliefs.
What is Attachment-Focused EMDR?
Attachment-focused EMDR (AF-EMDR) is an evolution of standard EMDR and stresses the importance of creating safety for the client and the need to adapt treatment according to client-centered cultural and individual needs. AF-EMDR emphasizes a reparative therapeutic relationship using a combination of (1) Resource Tapping to strengthen clients and repair development deficits, (2) AF-EMDR to process traumas, and (3) talk therapy to help integrate the information from AF-EMDR sessions and to provide the healing derived from therapist-client interactions. Through these, AF-EMDR extends the use and benefits of EMDR and bilateral stimulation to clients typically less responsive to traditional EMDR protocols and helps clients experience more complete resolution.
Attachment-Focused EMDR: Rebuild trust and safety in relationships
Research has shown that people who were deprived of close and emotionally safe relationships in their early childhood years may experience difficulties trusting or communicating with others in later years. If this resonates with you, coming for traditional EMDR therapy may be challenging as the very premise of therapy involves putting your trust in the counsellor or any helping professional.
This is why Dr. Laurel Parnell founded Attachment-Focused EMDR (AF-EMDR), an evolution from traditional EMDR. It extends the use of conventional EMDR by including an attachment-repair focus to all phases of traditional EMDR protocols. Simply put, it places emotional safety in the therapeutic relationship at its core.
Therapists trained in AF-EMDR are sensitive to your needs and recognise that your trust in them is the foundation for healing from your trauma. It is also considered a gentler approach than the traditional one, as it involves taking the time to build up your inner resources (otherwise known as internal strengths and positive qualities you have and can tap on for coping) before starting the processing work.
Here at Stillness for the Heart, we have counsellors trained in AF-EMDR and other trauma-specific therapies. We also conduct training courses to help professionals who are keen to learn about AF-EMDR. Contact us to find out more.
What is Attachment-Focused EMDR
Interview with Dr Laurel Parnell
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EMDR as a method to facilitate trauma processing
You may have read about EMDR in recent years as a therapy for the treatment of trauma. Celebrities such as Sandra Bullock and Prince Harry have spoken about the positive effects EMDR has had on their journeys of healing. Known as Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), it involves eye movements or other kinds of bilateral stimulation that facilitates the processing and releasing of distressing experiences trapped in our minds and bodies.
EMDR has been used to help many individuals suffering from the traumatic effects of war, assault, disasters, and childhood abuse, with a significant amount of research conducted over the years to measure and evaluate its effectiveness as a trauma therapy. Read more about trauma in our blog article here.
What is Resource Tapping in AF-EMDR
Interview with Dr Laurel Parnell
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About Dr. Laurel Parnell
Laurel Parnell, Ph.D. is the director of the Parnell Institute and developer of Attachment- Focused EMDR. She is an internationally recognized clinical psychologist, author, and leading expert on Eye-movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDRY therapy). Since 1995 she has trained thousands of clinicians in EMDR both nationally and internationally. She is the author of six books on EMDR, including her latest release - Rewiring the Addicted Brain
Counsellors specialised in attachment-focused EMDR
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Oliver Ackermann
Psychotherapist / Addiction Counsellor / Mindfulness Coach
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Sofia Tian
Psychotherapist / Addiction Counsellor / Mindfulness Coach
Counsellors specialised in EMDR
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Alex Lim
Psychotherapist / Addiction Counsellor / Mindfulness Coach
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Andrea Mayrhofer
Psychotherapist / Addiction Counsellor / CSAT Supervisor
