Difference between RET and EMDR
There are significant differences between Rapid Eye Technology (RET) and EMDR. RET was developed by Ranae Johnson at approximately the same time as EMDR was developed by Francine Shapiro. EMDR is based on the allopathic medical model, in which impediments to the life of a client are labelled as abnormalities and a treatment method is prescribed by the healing professional.
RET is based on a belief in spiritual wholeness. One of the most important premises of RET is that the client is a perfect, spiritual being. Practitioners assist their clients to discover counterproductive patterns of behaviour; then facilitate the release of emotional stress that supports those patterns. Practitioners are thoroughly trained to release stress, which is the purpose of Rapid Eye Technology.
EMDR is designed to be a rapid treatment modality for anxiety and traumatic memories. EMDR addresses one incident at a time. Its primary purpose as stated by Dr. Shapiro is to desensitize and reprocess traumatic incidents and is best suited to therapeutic environments in which the practitioner has other skills.
RET is designed to be an alternative healing technology that addresses the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of human existence. As an alternative health technology, practitioners have an obligation to empower their clients in the healing process. To quote Norman Shealy, M.D., Ph.D, and Caroline Myss, Ph.D from their book entitled The Creation of Health, “Within the holistic model, the responsibility for the healing process rests with the patient.”
EMDR practitioners have their clientele move their eyes bilaterally with a few other eye movements. They require traditional counselling skills because they must deal with the client’s cathartic reaction to the incident during the processing.
RET practitioners move an eye directing device in Neuro-Linguistic patterns while the client blinks rapidly. There are currently nineteen specific wand movements and processes. The movement of the eye directing device also seems to simulate the REM or alpha/theta brain wave state.
The stressful information is accessed and the suggestion is given to release the emotional stress on a cellular level. RET attends to the whole person and the perceived environmental system of which they are a part. RET is a complete healing modality within itself yet can be used effectively as a complement to any other healing modality.
June 22nd, 2010 at 3:05 pm I love this post. So many people wonder what the difference is so this is great to have out there for everyone to know about! Thanks for posting this!
June 22nd, 2010 at 3:34 pm It is so important to be clear and to recognize Rapid Eye Therapy for it’s unique healing techniques.
Thank you! ~ Melanie
November 26th, 2011 at 5:04 am I have been asked again and again why RET instead of EMDR? Why pay when a psychiatrist can do it for you? My brother is an EMDR patient and suffers from Post-traumatic syndrome that he acquired from the war. I am going to forward this blog to him so he can better understand the difference. Thank you for your blog post!
Blessings,
Deana Daley