Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
By Jackie Christensen, BS, HHP, NC, MH
Faculty Member of GCNM
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a relatively new development in a non-traditional branch of psychology known as energy psychology. It has been found to be a successful method for managing issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, which can occur after a severe accident or life-threatening situation. EMDR is a form of energy psychology because it focuses on the mind/body connection in relation to healing and utilizes the person’s subtle energy field. Other fields of energy psychology include neuro-emotional therapy, emotional freedom technique, healing from the body up and heart-assisted therapy. Techniques used in energy psychology stimulate energy through various methods, such as special movement, tapping, or intention. These modalities combine intentionality with imagery and energetic stimulation, energetic balancing, or both. Even though EMDR appears to be a simple technique, the results can be rapid and surprising. EMDR is considered to be a “power” therapy because it works quicker than other forms of psychotherapy. EMDR uses a completely natural approach to healing and does not include the use of medications or the traditional talk therapy approach. EMDR uses a patient’s direct eye movements to create a healing response. It has been found that these movements can decrease the emotional baggage that comes with a traumatic experience.
Francine Shapiro developed energy psychology eye movement desensitization and reprocessing in 1989. While walking through the woods one day, Shapiro happened to notice that her own negative emotions lessened as her eyes shifted from side to side. When she tried the technique with her clients, she found the same positive results.
A typical EMDR session may last about 90 minutes. During it the therapist will move his or her finger back and forth in front of the client’s face and ask the person to follow the hand movements with their eyes. At the same time, the EMDR therapist will have the client recall the troubling event, along with the emotions and physical impressions associated with the event. Eventually the therapist will instruct the client to shift their thoughts to a more pleasant experience. The therapist may also have the client rate his or her stress level before and after the session to measure efficacy of the EMDR session.
More than 20,000 therapists have been trained to use EMDR in their practice. Proponents of the technique believe that the traumatic emotions are stored within the body. The rapid eye movements directed by the therapist causes the traumatic emotions to be processed and released by the body.
Sources:
Freedom, John. "Noetic Now Journal | Institute of Noetic Sciences." Institute of Noetic Sciences | Consciousness | Science | Spirituality | Wisdom. Web. 27 Dec. 2011. .
"EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing." WebMD - Better Information. Better Health. Web. 27 Dec. 2011. .
M.s., Jef Gazley. "EMDR | Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing | AskTheInternetTherapist.com." Online Counseling | AskTheInternetTherapist.com. Web. 27 Dec. 2011. .
Book Review
The Sleep Doctor’s Diet Plan Lose Weight Through Better Sleep
By Michael Breus, PhD with Debra Fulghum Bruce, PhD
Michael Breus is a clinical Psychologist board certified in clinical sleep disorders who has specialized in the treatment of sleep disorders for the past fourteen years. He shares his knowledge of the relationship not only between good quality sleep and feeling better, but also between good quality sleep and obtaining or maintaining a healthy weight.
The book is well organized into three main parts, with a wonderfully written foreword by Arianna Huffington that will definitely convince the reader that this is a topic he or she should further explore.
In Part 1, Breus describes how sleep is related to one’s weight and health. He begins to convey this relationship in his first chapter titled The Sleep/Weight Connection. In this chapter, he has a great chart demonstrating the eight most common problems that are linked to sleep loss with the aspects of those problems that most people notice and the aspects of those problems that most people would not be aware of. For instance, under weight gain and eventual obesity, he states that most people would notice the increased hunger and weight gain, however very few individuals know that sleep loss is linked to a lower level of the hormone leptin that tells people to stop eating and a higher level of the hormone ghrelin that tells people to eat more food. Study after study is provided to show how good sleep is linked to health, such as risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, and metabolic disturbances. The remaining chapter in part 1 What Happens While You Sleep?, The Sleep/Metabolism Matrix, and The Unique Sleep Challenges of Women help to convince even the most skeptical readers that good sleep habits need to be at the top of their list of priorities.
In Part 2, Breus begins to help to reader improve their sleep habits by helping the reader discovery what type of poor sleep habits that they possess. A sleep quiz along with a detailed sleep diary with sheets to fill in is provided to help the reader identify his or her specific barriers to sleep. The next chapter’s title The 5 Simple Rules for Better Sleep not only provides the information as stated in the title, but it also provides very helpful suggestions beyond the five simple rules, such as how to maintain good sleep habits while traveling. The next chapter in the second part of this book addresses creating the correct environment for sleep. After providing the reader with over a dozen questions about their bedroom to access its compatibility for encouraging good sleep habits, Breus discusses a variety of topics ranging from pillows and mattresses to alarm clocks and air quality that contribute to an individual’s sleeping environment.
Only when Breus begins talking about diet and nutrition does the book begin to decrease in quality since nutrition does not seem to be his strong point. While the chapter and third part of the book provided do provide nutrition and diet tips significantly better than the majority of American’s diet, this is one part of the book I would read carefully due to the fact that recommends dairy products as an option for a food that is high in calcium. However, he does provide additional options, such as green leafy vegetables, which are not only high in calcium, but also easily digestible and absorbable for people unlike dairy products.
While I would not use the dietary and nutritional aspects of this book as my only source for nutritional knowledge, the information regarding sleep and its connection to one’s health, well-being and waistline makes this book a must read.
Reviewed By Kathryn Marcinak HHP, BA, C-PT, ART-Ue
Faculty Member of GCNM
Exercise of the Month
Finding Time for Physical Activity
It can be hard to find time to exercise. Making physical activities convenient is key to fitting it into any busy schedule. Consider adding a few of the following activities to your day.
- Make your chores count. Do housework at a pace fast enough to get your heart pumping.
- Be Active while watching TV. Lift hand weights, ride a stationary bike, or walk to the television to change the channel or adjust the volume.
- Involve the entire family. Go for a group walk before dinner or after dinner or ride bikes for thirty minutes. Take a family trip to the zoo.
- Make the most of your commute. Walk or bike to work if possible. Add just a little bit of extra walking, such as getting off the bus a few blocks early.
- Make the most of your errands. When heading out to the mall or grocery store, park toward the back of the lot and walk the extra distance to the store.
Sources:
Mayo Clinic Staff. "Fitting in Fitness: Finding Time for Physical Activity." Mayo Clinic. 30 Oct. 2010. Web. 4 Jan. 2012. .
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