Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR as it is called in short is a path breaking tool in psychotherapy. Discovered in 1987 by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the United States of America, this method of healing has proven effective in the treatment of traumatic stress disorders and the effects of disturbing life events. Based on the evidence of controlled research, the American Psychiatric Association and the Department of Veterans Affairs and Defense recommend EMDR as an effective treatment of trauma. Most international health guidelines recommend EMDR as the first line of treatment in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Most countries in the Americas and Europe have national EMDR associations to train, supervise, standardize and upgrade EMDR practitioners.
Asia has been prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, tsunami and other manmade disasters such as war, deprivation, various forms of abuse, neglect and betrayal for many years now. All these traumatic events cause cascades of stress and human misery. Based on the Adaptive Information Processing model, EMDR has been used extensively to heal such victims throughout Asia. EMDR is now being taught and utilized in many Asian countries. It is now our initiative to bring together all the Asian EMDR practioners under the united umbrella of EMDR ASIA. This ongoing endeavour needs your support and patronage. Please check this website for the latest update on EMDR ASIA.
First Conference of EMDR-Asia was held in Bali, Indonesia on 10 and 11th July 2010. A large number of participants from Asia, Australia, Europe and Americas attended the conference. The 2nd Conference is planned to be held at Clark Freeport, Philippines from 9-11 Jan, 2014.