Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

EMDR is a powerful technique that is used by specially trained therapists to help their clients overcome the emotional difficulties that are caused by disturbing life experiences. These experiences include traumatic events such as combat stress, assaults and natural disasters, or upsetting childhood events. Scientific research has established EMDR as effective for treating post-traumatic stress. It helps with problems like improperly stored images, thoughts, and feelings that reoccur and are distressing; memories which are relived as opposed to just remembered; and upsetting thoughts which get triggered easily and result in disruption of the clients’ ability to function. It has also been used effectively to help with complicated grief, stress reduction, performance anxiety, and some types of anxiety disorders.

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation of the brain with sound, sight, or touch to get both sides of the brain involved in processing the memory. The process helps the brain store the distressing information properly to help it feel like it is in the past. EMDR relies on the brain’s self healing capacity and helps the client use their own beliefs, experiences, and resources to handle the disturbing material better.