Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

What is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based approach originally developed in 1987 by Francine Shapiro, to treat post-traumatic stress disorder. EMDR has since flourished and is now used to treat a wide variety of concerns. EMDR is a structured approach with eight phases.

One of the early phases includes building skills to ensure emotional safety and give you the ability to cope with any upsetting emotions or information. During the process of EMDR, you will briefly think of the memory we are working to heal while being aware of your presence in the safety of my office, thus achieving dual awareness. EMDR does not require you to talk about the distressing details or share any information that you don’t want to share.

How does EMDR work?

Our brain and body have the natural ability to heal themselves. If you are injured, such as a cut, the body will naturally work to heal with minimal and sometimes no intervention. However, if something foreign gets “stuck” in the cut, such as a splinter, it can become very painful and impede the healing process. The brain works in the same way and sometimes unpleasant or upsetting memories, messages, or events can get “stuck” making it difficult for the brain to naturally heal.

EMDR helps remove this “stuck” information by using bilateral stimulation to allow the brain to return to its natural healing abilities. Bilateral stimulation is the activation of the left and right hemispheres of the brain using sight, sound, or tactile stimulation. This allows the brain to properly process and store the memory, which decreases the emotion, vividness, and negative beliefs about the memory, thus eliminating the unpleasant symptoms. EMDR works well for many people because it assists the brain in its natural healing process.