You might have heard about NLP's "eye accessing cues." There's a general idea that if someone's eyes move to the right, they're lying, or if they shift upwards, they're visual thinkers. Unfortunately, these ideas are misrepresentations, often mistakenly linked to the field of NLP by those not deeply acquainted with it.

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Diving Deeper into Eye Movement Therapies

When it comes to trauma recovery and PTSD, eye movement therapies have shown to be notably effective, especially concerning intrusive imagery and distressing "flashbacks." Essentially, by focusing on distressing memories and then guiding the eyes in different directions, the emotional power of these memories tends to fade.

One famous model based on this principle is EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing). But another fascinating therapy to emerge from this domain is the Integral Eye Movement Technique (IEMT).

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Understanding IEMT

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Developed from eye movement therapies, IEMT was designed after recognizing specific neurological changes that happen when traumatic images change their emotional impact during specific eye movements. The therapy addresses two primary imprints in our mind:

1. Emotional Imprints: These are our emotional reactions based on past experiences. Think of the sinking feeling you get when your boss says they "want a word." It's as if you're a kid getting scolded again. IEMT dives into the core question: "How did this person learn to feel this way?"

2. Identity Imprints: These are our perceptions of ourselves and how we fit into the world. These imprints can change over time, like how someone can move from being "one of the guys" to being seen differently after a promotion. Some imprints, like gender identity or familial roles, are more deeply rooted. Here, IEMT seeks to answer: "How did this person develop this self-perception?"

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Sometimes, these identity imprints can be problematic. Feeling "unhappy" is an emotional imprint, while thinking "I am an unhappy person" or "I am depressive" is an identity imprint. IEMT directly targets these identity imprints, helping to dismantle beliefs that can hinder personal growth.

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IEMT Training & Implications

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For those keen on this therapy, a two-day practitioner training introduces participants to the intricacies of both emotional and identity imprints, along with an understanding of the neurological backdrop behind them.

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It's crucial to know, though, that while promising and powerful, IEMT isn't a one-size-fits-all therapeutic model. It's an evolving therapy, but when wielded by trained therapists, it can be a fantastic tool for facilitating emotional and identity transformations. Many practitioners have reported incredible outcomes with IEMT, even in cases where success seemed unlikely.

To sum it up, the world of eye movement therapies, including IEMT, offers an intriguing and effective approach to understanding and transforming our emotional and identity landscapes.

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Questions:
What is the difference between EMDR and IEMT?

What is the meaning of IEMT?

Integral Eye Movement Therapy (IEMT) is a brief therapy that utilises simple eye movements and questioning techniques to change a particular thought pattern that may be problematic for you. IEMT techniques help to create change by rapidly reducing unwanted feelings to help you to resolve issues.

How does IEMT work?

IEMT work's on the “lynchpins” that hold the traumatic memories together. IEMT moves your eyes in certain ways using a process called kinesthetic movement that links part of the brain that stores our memories and emotions thus leading to rapid release and relief of unwanted memories, flashbacks and associated triggers.

Does integral eye movement therapy work?

Integral Eye Movement Therapy (IEMT) is an effective therapy for anxiety, anger, depression, emotional blocks, limiting beliefs, phobias, unwanted habits and trauma.

What is the success rate of eye movement therapy?

Treatment stimulates the brain's natural ability to contextualize life events so that individuals can let go of the emotional distress connected to their past. It has an 80 percent success rate for PTSD and in patients seeking treatment for substance use disorder.