What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based psychotherapy that enables people to heal from mental health symptoms and emotional distress that come from past disturbing life experiences. It incorporates somatic, emotional, cognitive and narrative elements, and uses alternating eye movements, sounds, or taps (bilateral stimulation) to facilitate the brain’s natural healing process.

EMDR has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of PTSD/trauma. In addition, EMDR therapy is showing effectiveness in treating a range of other mental health conditions and concerns, including: depression, anxiety, panic, eating disorders, personality disorders, grief and loss, chronic pain, performance anxiety, and addictions (both substances and behavioral), and many others.

EMDR Therapy has been recognized as an effective treatment for PTSD/trauma by the American Psychiatric Association, the Department of Defense and the V.A., the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, SAMHSA, the World Health Organization, and many others.

Video: Introduction to EMDR Therapy, EMDRIA (EMDR International Association)

What happens during an EMDR session?

Once a collaborative treatment plan has been developed, and the client has been prepared, an initial target memory is selected for EMDR processing. During the EMDR trauma re-processing session, the client is asked to put his or her attention on the target memory. The client then identifies the negative image, belief, emotions, and body sensations related to the event. As the client focuses on this disturbing memory, the therapist uses alternating (left-right) eye movements, sounds, or taps. This facilitates the brain’s natural healing process, and eventually the memory becomes less disturbing and less emotionally “charged”. Clients often experience a range of changes through EMDR processing, including changes in emotions, images, thoughts, and beliefs, and they often gain new insights and awareness. Ultimately, clients are able to put their past in the past, so they are able to live in the present, more peacefully.