Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing [EMDR]

EMDR is an evidence-based therapy that supports the brain's ability to naturally heal following traumatic experiences.  When we experience something traumatic, some of the information from the incident(s) does not store properly in our brain.  The improper storage can cause numerous long-lasting consequences, including a general heightened sense of insecurity, emotional disconnection from the world around us, nightmares, increased mood swings, an increased reliance on substances to cope with these issues, and significant interpersonal challenges.  EMDR is a form of therapy that allows the brain to begin to reprocess the information that was stored haphazardly during/immediately after the traumatic incident(s).

While EMDR has been researched the most in relation to healing trauma issues including diagnoses of PTSD and anxiety disorders, it has also been shown to have a positive impact on addressing substance use disorders, decreasing cravings for impulsive and self-destructive behaviors, and alleviating shame and depression symptoms.  Through the use of therapeutic guidance to focus on agreed-upon "targets," sometimes specific memories or even harmful personal beliefs, the therapist utilizes bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or auditory stimulation) to support the brain to make or reinforce healthier, adaptive patterns of thinking.

Quite often, people experience trauma that is difficulty to verbalize, and can be traumatic to have to re-experience.  One of the most useful aspects of EMDR is that clients do not have to re-experience or even fully remember the trauma in order to gain significant relief from their symptoms. In fact, re-experiencing the event(s) can often disrupt the healing process, so emphasis is on supporting the brain to heal instead of increasing intentional access to potentially harmful information.

For further information, please visit emdria.org