I have found using EMDR therapy and EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) to be an effective way to treat trauma memories associated with military, police, firefighters, and first responder personnel. I first began using EMDR therapy in the early 1990’s for general symptoms in the general population related to victims of past physical , mental, and/or sexual abuse. Ten years ago, I was introduced to the use of EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) and currently have integrated both EMDR and EFT techniques into my practice. I have found both techniques are particularly helpful to more quickly assist individuals in working through painful memories rather than just using traditional “talk therapy”. For the past 10 years my practice has increasingly treated more veterans, police and fire department personnel. In using EMDR and EFT, in part, the goal of each technique is to reduce or eliminate emotional triggers associated with painful traumatic events after which the memory of the events remains but the individual no longer finds themselves experiencing the physiological responses of anxiety or distress associated with those memories. I also found it useful in working with trauma related issues to combine other techniques such as Mindfulness training, and using self-soothing exercises such as focused breathing, biofeedback, and progressive relaxation or other relaxation training methods. First, it is essential to help the individual to manage the physiological responses of anxiety prior to addressing underlying traumatic memories. After the individual has gained a better understanding and self-practice of being able to be able to reduce their physiological symptoms of anxiety, then EMDR and EFT techniques are easier applied to assist the individual to address the past emotional triggers invoking their original onset symptoms of anxiety. Finally, after those emotional triggers are reduced more traditional approaches such as CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) can be used to help the individually reprocess their cognitive experience of past traumatic events in a manner that more readily serves them. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy emphasizes neo-cortex functioning which is more involved with rational thought. However, the experience of emotions functions at the level of the limbic system (the emotional fight/fright portion of the brain) and processes events in a different manner. In my opinion and experience, as therapists try to use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy alone, it has not been as effective in treatment as incorporating therapy techniques that include an understanding of how the limbic system process events. However, combined together all of these approaches become effective tools in treating PTSD. http://emapdrschulz.com