EMDR
I am a certified Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based psychotherapy designed to help the brain reprocess and heal from traumatic or distressing memories. Developed by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, it is recognized globally by organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Psychological Association (APA) as a highly effective treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other trauma-related conditions.
The core theory behind EMDR is that when a traumatic event occurs, the brain can become overwhelmed, causing the memory to get "stuck" or improperly stored in its raw, emotional form. Present-day triggers can reactivate this memory, forcing the person to relive the original fight-or-flight panic.
EMDR uses Bilateral Stimulation (BLS)— side-to-side eye movements, hand-tapping, or auditory tones—to stimulate both hemispheres of the brain while the patient briefly focuses on the memory. This process:
Desensitizes the memory: It overloads the working memory, rapidly stripping away the intense emotional charge and physical distress attached to it.
Reprocesses the perspective: It allows the brain to safely "file" the memory away correctly, helping the patient shift from a negative self-belief (e.g., "I am in danger") to an adaptive, positive one (e.g., "It is over, and I am safe now").
EMDR is a way to help people reprocess memories from difficult life events in order to heal and move past them. This doesn’t mean that the memories are erased, simply that they have less intensity and are easier to manage. This reduction in intensity often leads to a decrease in symptoms such as anxiety, depression, flashbacks, overwhelm, etc.
Interested in learning a little more about EMDR? I’ve included some links below that will provide some background.
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