Does EMDR and EFT effectively work in erasing the traumatic experiences of a person had ?
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They are supposed to be the best ways at the mo but check this out the words of a physiologist I'm seeing soon
Thank you for the enquiry, I am always pleased to see people taking their personal mental health seriously and it is important to ask questions to clarify treatments or the people they are intending to see and I fully encourage any searching questions and points as raised. I would certainly not disagree with your friend about the current lack of scientific evidence currently available around the rewind technique and this is currently being addressed by the Human Givens Institute by engaging in research projects. The fact however does remain that it has helped a great deal of people and hence cannot be discounted, it is interesting to note that one of the most accepted theraputic approaches for years has been a psychodynamic approach which itself has little positive scientific evidence behind it. One of the most scientifically researched and evidence based treatments is hypnosis and yet this is often termed a fad in certain quarters.
I feel the most important point to reassure you on is that I use a range of approaches and that no one technique has all the answers. What I always do in an initial session is to give information on how trauma works and ways it can be effectively treated, we then move on to building in a number of approaches which will help ou move on right from the first meeting, these approaches can include the rewind, CBT and other aspects which having spoken and discussed with you can be identified as the best way forward. My PhD dissertation completed only last year was on the effective treatments of PTSD and trauma and I know the limitation but also the possibilities.
I think the most important thing to recognise and one well evidence in various research projects is that medication alone is not the answer to any psychological issue and that the relationship and rapport between client and therapist is one of the key factors to success regardless of the theraputice approach. I feel sure that we can help you to move on and hope to have the opportunity to meet with you in order that you can make your own mind up.
I am more than happy to answer any questions you have and anything I can do to help you move in the right direction, which ever way you feel that is I will be happy to do so.
I think there's a good body of research indicating the EMDR does work in reducing the trauma symptoms of people with PTSD. I don't know that it does this by "erasing" the traumatic experieince. The American Psychological Association and other such bodies have now endorsed EMDR. As far as EFT goes, I don't think there's much research out there to show that it is effective. I have my doubts about it. I think they are more therapy techniques than behavior modification techniques, as I understand the terms.
Good luck to you,
Dana Anderson (counseling student)
I don't know about EMDR. But I do know about and teach EFT. EFT does not 'erase' anything, but reduces very powerful negative emotions to something that you can handle. EFT is also not psychotherapy in the conventional sense, but works with the body mind connection. So take for example someone with PTSD. They might have been in war.. EFT is not going to make them forget the sights and sounds of war or think a horrible frightening experience was good. But what it does do is help the person reflect on it more like it was just a memory, just a movie, and not a day to day battle. It helps your mind/body move past the negative emotions and see things objectively. Please feel free to contact me anytime for more info if you need it.
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