Let’s talk about this amazing therapy called EMDR and how this relates to our work at xNeurals. EMDR therapy is is eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy. According to Dr. Arielle Schwartz, “EMDR Therapy changes maladaptive neural networks by connecting the traumatic memory with new information. The distressing thoughts and emotions are blended with new positive thoughts and emotions; embodied awareness allows frozen sensations in the body to resolve through healing movements.”
So clearly we can see how this is effective and life-changing. It is also explained by Huff Post that EMDR consists of 8 phases: “Phase 1 involves history-taking, where the therapist learns more about the client’s past and develops a treatment plan. In Phase 2, the therapist spends time teaching the client coping and calming skills to help them handle emotional distress, which they can use between and during sessions… During Phases 3 through 6, the client will target and reprocess — or work through — the identified trauma… Phases 7 and 8 wrap up the therapeutic sessions.” A futuristic thought of myself and xNeurals involving this would be to build a VR type device, a detachable brain type product, to facilitate this therapy, while being at home, helping destress and allowing those to handle emotional distress, or even allowing for children and adults on the spectrum to essentially rebuild their neurons in their brain.
Talking further about this futuristic detachable brain, the earlier this is introduced in those with trauma, ADHD, and/or spectrum disorders. The amazing thing about those on the spectrum is, while it may be difficult to be very verbally communicative, their imagination is just so incredible. For those who are non-verbal, this therapy also works great in that they can use this “brain” to help adapt their neurons, and to explain their thoughts and actions they can draw and point to images.
References
Hughes, L. (2020, March 6). Curious if emdr is an effective form of therapy? Here’s what to know. HuffPost. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/emdr-therapytrauma_l_5e56cb98c5b68f79fdc43ae2.
Lievegoed, R., Mevissen, L., Leuning, E., Ommeren, T. B. van, Hopster, M., Teeken, V., Berg, W. van den, Spuijbroek, P., Westra, B. S. en J., & Hagen, H. (2013, November). Guidelines and tips for EMDR treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorders. https://www.emdr.nl/wp-content/ uploads/2019/10/GuidelinesEMDRASD.pdf.
Schwartz, A., & Schwartz, A. (2019, January 28). How does EMDR therapy work?: Dr. Arielle Schwartz. Arielle Schwartz, PhD. https://drarielleschwartz.com/how-does-emdr-therapy work-dr-arielle-schwartz/#.YSzs4i3MxQI.
Test draws ON doodles to spot signs of AUTISM: Spectrum: Autism research news. Spectrum. (2015, March 3). Retrieved September 13, 2021, from https://www.spectrumnews.org/opinion/test-draws-on-doodles-to-spot-signs-of-autism/.
- Jayvanti Vanmanthai
