Hello, I have recently been looking into EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy) for the treatment of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).

I wanted some input on the effectiveness and experience with EMDR therapy in treating PTSD symptoms.

I have some quotes below from forums where psychiatrists/psychologists talked about their experience and was just wondering if anyone had more information to share.

"I'm a psychologist who uses EMDR therapy as my primary treatment psychotherapy and I've also personally had EMDR therapy for anxiety, panic, grief, and “small t” trauma. As a client, EMDR therapy worked extremely well and also really fast. As an EMDR therapist, and in my role as a facilitator who trains other therapists in EMDR therapy (certified by the EMDR International Assoc. and trained by the EMDR Institute) I have used EMDR successfully with panic disorders, childhood sexual/physical/emotional abuse and neglect, single incident trauma and complex/chronic PTSD, anxiety, depression, grief, body image, eating disorders, phobias, distressing memories, bad dreams and more."

"(Phase 2) in EMDR psychotherapy involves preparing for memory processing or desensitization (memory processing or desensitization - phases 3-6 - is often what is referred to as "EMDR" [which is really] an 8-phase method of psychotherapy). In this phase resources are "front-loaded" so that you have a "floor" or "container" to help with processing the really hard stuff, as well as creating strategies if you're triggered in everyday life. In Phase 2 you learn a lot of great coping strategies and self-soothing techniques which you can use during EMDR processing or anytime you feel the need. So if you start feeling overwhelmed or that it's too intense, you can ground yourself…and feel safe enough to continue the work."

"Grounding exercises are indispensable in everyday life, and really essential in stressful times. Anyone can use some of the techniques in Dr. Shapiro's new book "Getting Past Your Past: Take Control of Your Life with Self-Help Techniques from EMDR." Dr. Shapiro is the founder/creator of EMDR therapy but all the proceeds from the book go to two charities: the EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Program and the EMDR Research Foundation)…[It] helps you understand what's "pushing" your feelings and behavior, helps you connect the dots from past experiences to current life. Also teaches readers lots of helpful techniques that can be used immediately and that are also used during EMDR therapy to calm disturbing thoughts and feelings"

"One of the key assets of EMDR is that YOU, the client, are in control NOW, even though you likely were not during past events. You NEVER need re-live an experience or go into great detail, ever! You NEVER need to go through the entire memory…During EMDR processing there are regular “breaks” and you can control when and how many but the therapist should be stopping the bilateral stimulation every 25-50 or so passes of the lights to ask you to take a deep breath and to say just a bit of what you’re noticing. The breaks help keep a “foot in the present” while you’re processing the past. Again, and I can’t say this enough, YOU ARE IN CHARGE so YOU can make the process tolerable."

"Pacing and dosing are critically important. So if you ever feel that EMDR processing is too intense then it might be time to go back over all the resources that should be used both IN session and BETWEEN sessions. Your therapist can use a variety [of] "cognitive interweaves" that your therapist can use, and that also can help bring your adult self's perspective into the work (or even an imaginary Adult Perspective). Such interweaves are based around issues of Safety, Responsibility, and Choice. So therapist questions like "are you safe now?" or "who was responsible? and "do you have more choices now?" are all very helpful in moving the processing along."

"It's not a cure-all therapy. However, it really is an extraordinary psychotherapy and its results last. In the hands of a really experienced EMDR therapist, it's the most gentle way of working through disturbing experiences."

(Quotes from PsychCentral)

I am a New Mexico native and I grew up in a family that actively practices some of the traditional beliefs and ways of the curanderas.

These are traditional healers in my culture. There are your different types of healers which are explained more in depth in the article which I provided a link for. These roles, although traditionally reserved for women, are also practiced by men in some instances and focus on using herbal remedies and ancient knowledge instead of antibiotics or Westernized medicine.

Also, it is very common for curanderas to charge little to no money depending on the family's economic circumstances and they often perform home visits, even in rural areas that are difficult to get to.

Check out more about the traditional curandera practices in this article I found on motherearthliving.com:

https://www.motherearthliving.com/health-and-wellness/new-mexico-shealing-tradition.aspx#axzz388SeR3kF

*Note: while it is an old article I realize (1997) the information is still pertinent and correct to the best of my knowledge.

Since curanderas have been practicing for over 400 years, what is a few years anyways?