EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a structured psychotherapy approach used to help people recover from trauma and distressing life experiences, such as:
-
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
-
Anxiety
-
Depression
-
Phobias
-
Panic attacks
How EMDR Works
EMDR helps people process and reframe traumatic memories so they no longer feel overwhelming. It does this by combining:
-
Recall of the distressing memory
The client briefly focuses on a traumatic event or negative thought. -
Bilateral stimulation
While doing this, the therapist uses eye movements (usually asking the client to follow their fingers side to side), sounds, or taps on both sides of the body. -
Processing and resolution
This stimulation seems to help the brain "reprocess" the memory in a way that is less distressing. Over time, the memory becomes less vivid and upsetting.
Key Benefits of EMDR
-
Fast and effective for many people – often works more quickly than traditional talk therapy.
-
Reduces emotional charge of traumatic memories.
-
Doesn’t require in-depth talking about the trauma, which can be helpful for clients who find it hard to speak about their experiences.
-
Promotes long-lasting change, helping people to think and feel differently about past events.
