EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR, is an evidence-based therapy. It is a comprehensive approach that addresses the physiological storage of memory and how it informs experience. EMDR encourages the client to focus briefly on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements), which is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories.

person opening his right eye with blue i

Change occurs as experiences are reprocessed and a linkage is made in the brain to more adaptive understanding. EMDR therapy is used to address adverse life experiences that contribute to problems in daily living and/or relationships in one's life (adapted from Shapiro 2001, 2018). 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).