Miley Cyrus reveals she has been undergoing eye movement therapy to 'delete painful memories'

2023-05-20 13:50

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy technique that is used to treat trauma-related disorders in people

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Miley Cyrus has been engaging in eye movement therapy for the past year as part of her healing process. The 30-year-old singer, known for hits like 'Wrecking Ball' and 'Flowers' is currently in a relationship with 24-year-old musician Maxx Morando following her divorce from actor Liam Hemsworth in 2020.

Cyrus mentioned that she has been working with exceptional healers as part of her counseling journey. "I did a lot of EMDR. It's so helpful," she told British Vogue. "Essentially, you delete the physical sensations associated with these painful memories. The EMDR really helped me."

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What is EMDR therapy?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a psychotherapy technique that is used to treat trauma-related disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and other emotional disturbances. EMDR involves a series of guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation to help individuals process traumatic experiences and reduce the negative emotional impact associated with them. It is based on the idea that bilateral stimulation can help activate the brain's natural healing processes and facilitate the integration of distressing memories or thoughts. EMDR has gained recognition and acceptance as an effective therapy for trauma and is practiced by trained mental health professionals.

Why is Miley Cyrus doing EMDR?

According to world-renowned psychotherapist Sanja Oakley, EMDR can speed up one's healing process. "There’s less talking involved [than with more traditional forms of therapy]. In fact, if you don’t want to talk about something, there is a way of processing it with EMDR," she told British Vogue. It is important to note that EMDR is not a form of hypnosis, as the client remains fully present and aware throughout the entire session. Oakley said it was especially helpful for "people with head injuries and people who are neurodiverse. It is very helpful for people with dissociation – but it’s a much slower process." EMDR has also shown effectiveness in reducing symptoms of anxiety for some people.

Is EMDR safe?

Oakley asserts that there are still some mental health professionals who do not have a complete understanding of the mechanisms behind EMDR and why it is effective. "Its efficacy in treating trauma has been proven in more than 40 clinical randomized trials and it is recommended by leading organizations like the World Health Organisation and the NHS."

However, Oakley warns that EMDR is a "power tool" and the majority of experienced clinicians do not recommend it. "EMDR can take you to places you don’t expect," Oakley says. Although you may begin the EMDR therapy process by focusing on something that may seem insignificant, it is possible to uncover and address overwhelming or distressing events during the course of the therapy. "The role of the therapist is to ensure a safe space for processing whatever arises."