What is EMDR?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy. It is a therapy that has been proven to be highly effective for those who have experienced trauma. In addition, research shows EMDR as a helpful treatment for disorders such as anxiety, depression, OCD, chronic pain, addictions, and other distressing life experiences.

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.

Who can benefit from EMDR therapy?

EMDR therapy helps children and adults of all ages. Therapists use EMDR to address a wide range of challenges including:

Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Phobias, Chronic Illness, Medical issues, Depression, Bipolar disorders, Dissociative disorders, Eating disorders, Grief and loss, Pain, Performance anxiety, Personality disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other trauma and stress-related issues, Sexual assault, Sleep disturbance, Substance abuse, Addiction, Violence and Abuse.

Sources: EMDRIA.org; Maxfield, L. (2019) A clinician’s guide to the efficacy of EMDR therapy. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research [Editorial], 13(4), 239-246.