EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy. It is evidence based and the most efficient type of therapy for those who have experienced trauma.

 

EMDR therapy believes that our emotional well-being is interwoven with our physical (somatic) state. Therefore, EMDR employs a body-based technique called bilateral simulation during which a therapist will guide a client through eye movements, tones, or taps in order to move a memory that has been incorrectly stored into a more functional part of the brain.

 

During trauma our brain processes and stores memories maladaptively. This maladaptive storage can lead to past memories feeling very present. Related or unrelated stimuli in the present can lead to clients reacting as they did at the time of the trauma. The brain feels as if the past disturbing event is happening currently. EMDR therapy corrects this mis-storage so that the painful memories associated with the trauma lose their charge. The client can react to stimuli in the present without the past interfering. 

 

We will focus on a specific event or thing that bothers you the most. I will ask you about an image, negative belief, emotions, and body feelings related to this event or thing that bothers you, and then we will also look at a positive belief that will help us know that you are done.

While you focus on the upsetting event or thing that bothers you, I will begin sets of side-to-side eye movements, sounds, vibrations, or taps. I will guide you to take a deep breath, and then notice what comes to mind after each set of this bilateral stimulation. You may experience shifts in insight or changes in images, feelings, or beliefs regarding the event or thing that bothers you. These movements are repeated until the event that bothers you becomes less intense.

You have full control to stop me at any point if needed. The sets of eye movements, sounds, or taps are repeated until the event or thing that bothers you becomes less disturbing.

 

For more information, visit the EMDR website at https://www.emdria.org

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