What is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a therapy that involves bi-lateral stimulation (usually eye movement) to help access and reprocess traumatic memories. EMDR has been extensively researched and has been proven an effective treatment for depression, anxiety, PTSD, C-PTSD, phobias, OCD, chronic pain and other stressors. EMDR focuses on thoughts, emotions and behaviors that are a result of a current life trigger and works to reprocess the memory in order to reduce the distress experienced with that trigger.
"Our brains have a natural way to recover from traumatic memories and events. This process involves communication between the amygdala (the alarm signal for stressful events), the hippocampus (which assists with learning, including memories about safety and danger), and the prefrontal cortex (which analyzes and controls behavior and emotion). While many times traumatic experiences can be managed and resolved spontaneously, they may not be processed without help.
Stress responses are part of our natural fight, flight, or freeze instincts. When distress from a disturbing event remains, the upsetting images, thoughts, and emotions may create an overwhelming feeling of being back in that moment, or of being “frozen in time.” EMDR therapy helps the brain process these memories, and allows normal healing to resume. The experience is still remembered, but the fight, flight, or freeze response from the original event is resolved." [1]
EMDR therapy can be done in conjunction with talk therapy or other modalities.
Sources:
1: “About EMDR Therapy.” EMDR International Association, 20 Oct. 2023, www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/