The EMDR Institute has been on the leading edge of helping people heal from and manage PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) for more than 20 years.  Dr. Francine Shapiro is the founder of EMDR and is the Executive Director of the EMDR Institute located in Watsonville, CA.

For anyone interested in learning about EMDR, the EMDR Institute is a veritable wealth of information and an invaluable tool for locating clinicians in a particular area, provides information about organizations who endorse EMDR as a treatment for PTSD, compares research about the efficacy of EMDR for PTSD with other healing modalities, lists various EMDR organizations and offers therapist training.  The EMDR Institute facilities internet discussion groups and networking groups for EMDR clinicians all over the country.  It also lists EMDR organizations around the world. 

What EMDR is
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.  The research about EMDR has led it to become one of the most researched psychotherapeutic treatment for PTSD.  While there have been trials and studies to see if EMDR was an effective treatment for various phobias, anxiety and distress in general, there is only anecdotal information about its effectiveness for these disorders.  It has been shown that EMDR does help if there is anxiety following a traumatic event.
 
The EMDR Institute provides on-going training and continuing education for clinicians wishing to further and increase their ability to assist clients.  The EMDR Institute also offers video and audio tapes, treatment manuals, product and clinical aids.

PTSD and EMDR
The EMDR Institute is an oasis of help, guidance and tools to anyone and everyone seeking help with PTSD.  Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can occur after a traumatic event. A traumatic event is something horrible and scary that you see or that happens to you.  It is something out of the ordinary flow of life. Many people with PTSD cope with the actual incident, but it is AFTER (hence… POST Traumatic Stress Disorder) the incident that the stress disorder becomes prevalent.  During this type of event, you think that your life or others' lives are in danger. You may feel afraid or feel that you have no control over what is happening.

Causes of PTSD
Anyone who has gone through a life-threatening event can develop PTSD. These events can include:
•    Combat or military exposure
•    Child sexual or physical abuse
•    Terrorist attacks
•    Sexual or physical assault
•    Serious accidents, such as a car wreck.
•    Natural disasters, such as a fire, tornado, hurricane, flood, or earthquake

Whatever the cause of PTSD, the EMDR Institute is an invaluable, compassionate and intelligent source about everything anyone wants or needs to learn about EMDR.