What Is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy approach that was originally developed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories. It is based on the idea that when a distressing or traumatic event occurs, it can disrupt the processing of the information in the brain, leading to the persistence of negative emotions, beliefs, and sensations associated with the event.
During EMDR sessions, a therapist guides the client through a series of procedures that involve recalling distressing memories while simultaneously focusing on bilateral stimulation, such as side-to-side eye movements, alternating hand taps, or auditory tones. This is believed to help the brain reprocess the traumatic memories, shifting them from a state of distress and dysfunction to a state of resolution and adaptive learning.
The goal of EMDR is to help individuals process their traumatic experiences in a way that reduces their emotional distress, decreases the impact of the trauma on their daily functioning, and promotes adaptive cognitive and emotional responses. EMDR is recognized as an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and has also been used to address a range of other conditions, including anxiety, phobias, and depression.
EMDR is typically conducted as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that may include education, relaxation techniques, and the development of coping skills to support the individual's overall wellbeing. This therapy approach has been found to be effective and is supported by a substantial body of research and clinical evidence