Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is a structured therapy that helps people process and release the emotional charge of trauma without requiring detailed verbal recounting. It’s recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO), APS, and US Department of Veterans Affairs as a first-line treatment for PTSD.
Unlike CBT, which focuses on changing thoughts through conscious thought restructuring, EMDR is grounded in the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, which proposes that trauma can block memory processing – leaving experiences “frozen” in the nervous system. EMDR is particularly effective for:
- PTSD and complex trauma
- Single-incident trauma (accidents, assaults)
- Grief and loss
- Phobias and panic
- Shame or guilt linked to past events
What to Expect in EMDR at Chista Psychology:
EMDR can be delivered remotely using video-adapted techniques, such as butterfly tapping or visual tracking. This involves:
- Identifying a specific memory that still causes emotional or physical distress
- Engaging in bilateral stimulation – typically via eye movements, tapping, or audio tones—while focusing on the memory
- Allowing new associations and meanings to emerge organically, reducing emotional intensity and shifting core beliefs.
Chista Psychology 