What is EMDR?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.

It is a form of psychotherapy that incorporates bilateral stimulation, which the therapist facilitates in many forms, such as eye movements guided by tracking the therapist’s hand or a lightbar, self-tapping or using handheld tappers, or via auditory methods. Bilateral stimulation aims to engage both the right and left brain in the therapeutic process, representing a response like what happens to us during REM sleep.

Francine Shapiro created the EMDR approach in the 1980s, and it is a form of therapy endorsed by the World Health Organization for treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

EMDR helps clients identify current patterns of behavior, reactions, situations, etc., that are causing distress in one’s life and helps clients uncover and reprocess the root events, beliefs, or physiological responses that are connected to those present situations.

EMDR is an effective way to process traumatic events, distressing situations, and patterns of anxiety or excessive worry that have occurred in one’s life.

EMDR is an approach that works with your brain and body’s natural healing processes. Humans are resilient—and much like when we are hurt physically (i.e., a skinned knee or blisters on our feet) and our bodies heal naturally, in time, the brain and our psyches are geared towards an ability to heal and overcome wounds naturally.

Yet, when we experience trauma or distressing events, sometimes those experiences and the sensations we experience get stuck in our memories and our bodies and stored in a distressing form that can lead to many adverse outcomes.

EMDR is an approach different from traditional talk therapy yet is an effective way to help you find healing from your past and help you reach your goals for the future. For more information about EMDR visit emdria.org.

If you are interested in EMDR therapy, it is best to work with a clinician who is certified in EMDR or seeking certification in this type of therapy.