In recent years, EMDR (Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) has emerged as a transformative type of psychotherapy that can help people process and release emotional distress and traumatic experiences. Originally developed in 1987 by Dr. Francine Shapiro, EMDR involves alternately stimulating both hemispheres of the brain through guided eye movements using visual, auditory or tactile cues while the patient recalls their thoughts and feelings on their issue.
EMDR has helped people with a range of mental conditions including depression, anxiety and phobia, and has proven to be particularly effective in helping people with PTSD. One study found up to 90% of single-trauma victims no longer had PTSD after receiving only three 90-minute EMDR sessions.
Its efficacy in treating various mental health conditions can make EMDR a valuable tool to help students better manage and improve their mental health. In this article, we will explore some of the benefits of applying EMDR within an educational setting.
Reduction in Stress and Anxiety
Students often have to deal with pressurized deadlines and heavy workloads, which can increase their levels of stress and anxiety. EMDR has shown to be successful in controlling the stress and anxiety of individuals in different situations and can, therefore, positively impact students who are suffering from these issues.
A therapist or counselor who has undergone EMDR training can use this therapeutic tool to help students understand and process the underlying beliefs and thought patterns that are contributing to their stress and anxiety. For example, a student with severe anxiety may believe they are “not good enough” or “will fail no matter what.” By addressing these core beliefs and replacing them with more positive ones, the negative symptoms associated with them can also dissipate.
By guiding students safely out of states of anxiety and stress, EMDR can help them achieve greater self-belief and confidence in themselves, and enable them to approach their studies with a regained sense of focus and resilience.
Improved Academic Performance
Poor academic performance can often stem from a student’s lack of motivation or self-belief in their abilities. This may be the result of past traumatic experiences which can manifest in ways that undermine their confidence and cause them to feel incompetent or undeserving of success.
In some cases, depression can also develop which can make it more challenging for a student to perform well at school. As well as affecting their motivation and energy levels, depression can disrupt a student’s sleeping patterns resulting in insomnia or oversleeping leading to a lack of focus and concentration in their studies. This may even lead to absenteeism, which can further lead to a cycle of poor academic performance.
By addressing the underlying mental and emotional blocks, EMDR can be an effective tool in helping students resolve their trauma and negative self-belief and reshape their perceptions of themselves. As a result, students can approach their studies with greater self-esteem, optimism and confidence, which can have a beneficial effect on their overall academic performance.
As highlighted, EMDR can be a highly transformative tool for helping students resolve psychological barriers that may be preventing them from achieving better mental health and reaching their full academic potential.
