EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy. It is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of trauma. EMDR is a set of standardized protocols that utilizes a technique called bilateral stimulation to activate opposite sides of the brain. These movements mimic the period of sleep referred to as rapid eye movement or REM sleep, and this portion of sleep is frequently considered to be the time when the mind processes the recent events in the person’s life. EMDR seems to help the brain reprocess the trapped memories that due to trauma were not process correctly in a way that normal information processing is stored in our brain. Therapists often use EMDR to help clients uncover and process beliefs that developed as the result of relational traumas or childhood abuse and/or neglect. For a more detailed explanation please visit About EMDR Therapy | EMDR International Association (emdria.org)
EMDR therapy can help if you experience distressing emotions that appear to you, and perhaps to others, to be excessive given the current situation. If you tend to be highly reactive to certain triggers and/or if you have one or more negative beliefs about yourself due to challenging experiences.
