EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) is a structured therapy that encourages the patient to focus briefly on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements or tapping), which is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories.

 

Many clients find relief within just a few sessions. The belief is that large or small traumas get stuck in your brain and don’t get “filed away” properly. These experiences become “frozen in time” and remembering a trauma may feel as bad as going through it the first time. Images, sounds, smells and feelings haven’t changed. Such memories have a lasting negative effect that interferes with the way you see the world and the way you relate to other people.

 

When difficult experiences happen presently you may have a knee-jerk reaction with intense emotions. EMDR addresses those trauma reactions and calms down the reactions and emotions. You don’t forget the experience, but feelings are not so triggered and you regain control of your emotions, thoughts and behaviors.

 

EMDR uses eye movements directed by the therapist or tapping with either a small tapping device or tapping on your thighs or arms. Tapping stimulates both sides of the brain for a more thorough decrease in emotional reaction. The therapist takes you through a protocol to process through the trauma and following a successful EMDR session you no longer relive the images, sounds and feelings when the event is brought to mind and normal information processing is resumed. You still remember what happened, but it is less upsetting.

 

EMDR appears to be similar to what occurs naturally during dreaming or REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Therefore, EMDR can be thought of as a physiologically-based therapy that helps a person see disturbing material in a new and less distressing way.

 

EMDR therapy is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and PTSD symptoms. Ongoing research supports positive clinical outcomes, showing EMDR therapy as a helpful treatment for disorders such as anxiety, depression, OCD, chronic pain, addictions, and other distressing life experiences (Maxfield, 2019).