About EMDR Therapy.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or “EMDR,” is a powerful therapeutic intervention that is somatic (of the body) and mental/emotional. EMDR is often used to treat conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other trauma-related disorders.
What is it?
“EMDR is a structured therapy that encourages the patient to focus briefly on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements), which is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories.” – emdria.org1
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR incorporates bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, sounds, or taps, to stimulate both sides of the brain while recalling distressing memories.
How does it work?
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (stimulation of both halves of the body) to stimulate both halves of the brain. This bilateral stimulation, paired with distressing memories, helps to reprocess the memory, allowing the individual to experience it in a new and less distressing way. Through this process, the emotional charge associated with the memory diminishes, and the individual can move towards resolution and healing.
Who is it for?
EMDR can be used as an intervention for a variety of mental health concerns, including: anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, depression, trauma, PTSD, sexual assault history, interpersonal violence, grief and loss. EMDR should not be used without guidance from a trained professional.
Curious to learn more? Check out the video below:
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- EMDR International Association. (n.d.). About EMDR therapy. Retrieved from https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/#:~:text=EMDR%20is%20a%20structured%20therapy,associated%20with%20the%20trauma%20memories. ↩︎