{"id":2179,"date":"2025-02-16T22:47:33","date_gmt":"2025-02-16T21:47:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.podolan.sk\/?page_id=2179"},"modified":"2026-01-19T08:58:29","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T07:58:29","slug":"emdr-a-spracovanie-traumy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.podolan.sk\/en\/emdr-a-spracovanie-traumy\/","title":{"rendered":"EMDR and Trauma Processing"},"content":{"rendered":"

TRAUMA: HOW TO TELL WHETHER IT AFFECTS US\" href=\"https:\/\/www.podolan.sk\/trauma-ako-rozpoznat-ci-sa-nas-tyka\/\">TRAUMA A JEJ FORMY: AKO ROZPOZNA\u0164, \u010cI SA N\u00c1S T\u00ddKA<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Shapiro, E. and L. Maxfield, The Efficacy of EMDR Early Interventions.<\/em> Journal of EMDR Practice & Research, 2019. 13<\/strong>(4).<\/li>\n
  2. Organization, W.H., Guidelines for the management of conditions that are specifically related to stress.<\/em> 2013.<\/li>\n
  3. Van der Kolk, B.A., The body keeps the score: Memory and the evolving psychobiology of posttraumatic stress.<\/em> Harvard review of psychiatry, 1994. 1<\/strong>(5): p. 253-265.<\/li>\n
  4. Van der Kolk, B., The body keeps the score: Mind, brain and body in the transformation of trauma<\/em>. 2014, New York: Penguin UK.<\/li>\n
  5. Maxfield, L. and L. Hyer, The relationship between efficacy and methodology in studies investigating EMDR treatment of PTSD.<\/em> Journal of clinical psychology, 2002. 58<\/strong>(1): p. 23-41.<\/li>\n
  6. Valiente-G\u00f3mez, A., et al., EMDR beyond PTSD: A systematic literature review.<\/em> Frontiers in psychology, 2017. 8<\/strong>: p. 1668.<\/li>\n
  7. Rho, Y.-A., J. Sherfey, and S. Vijayan, Emotional Memory Processing during REM Sleep with Implications for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.<\/em> Journal of Neuroscience, 2023. 43<\/strong>(3): p. 433-446.<\/li>\n
  8. Pagani, M., et al., Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing and slow wave sleep: a putative mechanism of action.<\/em> Frontiers in psychology, 2017. 8<\/strong>: p. 1935.<\/li>\n
  9. RalaUS, D., Spracovanie traumatick\u00fdch z\u00e1\u017eitkov pomocou o\u010dn\u00fdch pohybov EMDR.<\/em> Psychiatria, 2006. 13<\/strong>: p. 167-76.<\/li>\n
  10. Rydberg, J.A. and J. Machado, Integrative psychotherapy and psychotherapy integration: The case of EMDR.<\/em> European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 2020. 4<\/strong>(3): p. 100165.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

    EMDR AND TRAUMA PRECESSING<\/h1>\n

    EMDR is a trauma processing technique that resembles the Japanese art of kintsugi<\/em> (\u91d1\u7d99\u304e) \u2013 “repairing with gold<\/strong>.” Kintsugi<\/em> does not conceal or hide the cracks, but connects them with gold, turning them into a more beautiful and unique work of art. Similarly, EMDR does not erase painful memories or hide inner scars, but helps process them so that they are no longer a source of suffering, but become part of inner harmony, deeper self-awareness, and add new value and strength to our story.<\/p>\n

    \"\"

    Kintsugi transforms imperfection of broken bowl into strength and beauty, while EMDR therapy turns injuries into sources of resilience and value.<\/em><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

    EMDR was developed in the 1980s by psychologist Francine Shapiro and has since undergone extensive research. It is considered one of the most effective therapeutic methods for processing trauma, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) [1, 2]. Today, it is recognized by many professional organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO).<\/p>\n

    EMDR has evolved into a specific therapeutic discipline that continues to adapt to new areas of trauma therapy. Studies show that EMDR is more effective in PTSD therapy compared to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) [3, 4], because it directly affects the neurobiological mechanisms of trauma processing and enables the rapid integration of traumatic experiences into consciousness \u00a0[4, 5].<\/p>\n

    \"\"

    Broken mug repaired with the kintsugi art. A lacquer mixed with gold powder is applied to the cracks.<\/em><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

    HOW DOES EMDR AND TRAUMA PROCESSING WORK?<\/strong><\/p>\n

    In the EMDR process, alternating stimuli are used, such as eye movements (e.g., following the therapist\u2019s fingers), rhythmic sounds (e.g., finger snapping near the ears or sounds in headphones), or touches (e.g., tapping on the hands or under the collarbones). This process enhances parasympathetic regulation, thereby reducing the stress response and creating a sense of safety. At the same time, it activates both hemispheres of the brain, decreases amygdala activity, and facilitates memory processing in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex [6]. It also triggers processes similar to REM sleep, which processes emotions, consolidates memory, and helps integrate fragmented memories into a broader orientational\u2014temporal and spatial\u2014context [7, 8].<\/p>\n

    As a result, EMDR enables the brain to complete what trauma had interrupted\u2014processing blocked experiences and reducing their emotional intensity. This, in turn, decreases their unexpected activation in situations such as criticism, feelings of guilt, or sensory triggers (e.g., nonverbal cues, loud noises, smells) that originally evoked a traumatic response. By doing so, EMDR promotes better orientation in the present, reducing the impact of past emotional experiences on daily life, relationships, and psychological balance.<\/p>\n

    \"\"

    Damaged pieces of ceramics are joined together with a special resin lacquer mixed with gold powder.<\/em><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

    FOR WHOM IS TRAUMA PROCESSING (EMDR) SUITABLE?<\/strong><\/p>\n

    All traumatic experiences can be treated. EMDR is suitable for those who have faced traumatic experiences with a big “T” (e.g., accidents, violence, loss of a loved one, assault, medical procedures with severe consequences), as well as for those who have experienced trauma with a small “t” (neglecting, manipulative, and coercive relationships) or complex developmental trauma (e.g., prolonged childhood stress, bullying, neglect, abuse). It is effective in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related difficulties such as anxiety and depression.<\/p>\n

    In cases of simple, one-time traumatic experiences in individuals with sufficient inner resources, EMDR can bring relief after just a few sessions. However, in cases of prolonged or repeated traumatization, especially if it stems from childhood, treatment may require more time, a combination of various therapeutic approaches (e.g., psychoanalysis, ITSDP, AEDP), and a lot of patience from both the patient and the therapist.<\/p>\n

    EMDR allows the emotional charge of memories to be processed without the need for detailed analysis, which is especially beneficial for those who feel emotionally exhausted and do not want to return to repeatedly revisiting the past. When integrated with other therapies, the treatment of small “t” traumas can be accelerated and become more efficient [9, 10].<\/p>\n

    Trauma does not have just one form, and it often does not announce itself through a dramatic memory. It may appear more subtly\u2014in the way we experience emotions, in how we respond in close relationships, or in the fact that we repeatedly find ourselves in similar relational difficulties, even though we wish for something different. Many people remain unaware for a long time that answers to their questions about themselves and their relationships may be hidden precisely within these recurring patterns. If you are curious about which of these experiences may relate to you, how we understand traumatic experiences from a professional perspective, and how we work with them in therapy, you can continue in the section TRAUMA AND ITS FORMS: HOW TO RECOGNIZE WHETHER IT APPLIES TO US<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Shapiro, E. and L. Maxfield, The Efficacy of EMDR Early Interventions.<\/em> Journal of EMDR Practice & Research, 2019. 13<\/strong>(4).<\/li>\n
    2. Organization, W.H., Guidelines for the management of conditions that are specifically related to stress.<\/em> 2013.<\/li>\n
    3. Van der Kolk, B.A., The body keeps the score: Memory and the evolving psychobiology of posttraumatic stress.<\/em> Harvard review of psychiatry, 1994. 1<\/strong>(5): p. 253-265.<\/li>\n
    4. Van der Kolk, B., The body keeps the score: Mind, brain and body in the transformation of trauma<\/em>. 2014, New York: Penguin UK.<\/li>\n
    5. Maxfield, L. and L. Hyer, The relationship between efficacy and methodology in studies investigating EMDR treatment of PTSD.<\/em> Journal of clinical psychology, 2002. 58<\/strong>(1): p. 23-41.<\/li>\n
    6. Valiente-G\u00f3mez, A., et al., EMDR beyond PTSD: A systematic literature review.<\/em> Frontiers in psychology, 2017. 8<\/strong>: p. 1668.<\/li>\n
    7. Rho, Y.-A., J. Sherfey, and S. Vijayan, Emotional Memory Processing during REM Sleep with Implications for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.<\/em> Journal of Neuroscience, 2023. 43<\/strong>(3): p. 433-446.<\/li>\n
    8. Pagani, M., et al., Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing and slow wave sleep: a putative mechanism of action.<\/em> Frontiers in psychology, 2017. 8<\/strong>: p. 1935.<\/li>\n
    9. RalaUS, D., Spracovanie traumatick\u00fdch z\u00e1\u017eitkov pomocou o\u010dn\u00fdch pohybov EMDR.<\/em> Psychiatria, 2006. 13<\/strong>: p. 167-76.<\/li>\n
    10. Rydberg, J.A. and J. Machado, Integrative psychotherapy and psychotherapy integration: The case of EMDR.<\/em> European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 2020. 4<\/strong>(3): p. 100165.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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      TRAUMA: HOW TO TELL WHETHER IT AFFECTS US” href=”https:\/\/www.podolan.sk\/trauma-ako-rozpoznat-ci-sa-nas-tyka\/”>TRAUMA A JEJ FORMY: AKO ROZPOZNA\u0164, \u010cI SA N\u00c1S T\u00ddKA. Shapiro, E. and L. Maxfield, The Efficacy of EMDR Early Interventions. Journal of EMDR Practice & Research, 2019. 13(4). Organization, W.H., Guidelines for the management of conditions that are specifically related to stress. 2013. Van der Kolk,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2179","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","description-off"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.podolan.sk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2179","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.podolan.sk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.podolan.sk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.podolan.sk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.podolan.sk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2179"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/www.podolan.sk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2179\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2428,"href":"https:\/\/www.podolan.sk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2179\/revisions\/2428"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.podolan.sk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2179"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}