EMDR

EMDR

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a psychotherapy approach that was originally developed to help individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) process traumatic memories and reduce distress associated with those memories. The therapy was created by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s.

During an EMDR session, the therapist guides the client to recall distressing memories while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation, which can involve side-to-side eye movements, taps, or sounds. This bilateral stimulation is believed to help the brain process traumatic memories more effectively, allowing the individual to reprocess the memories in a less distressing way.

EMDR is now widely used to treat various mental health issues beyond PTSD, such as anxiety, depression, phobias, and other forms of trauma. It is an evidence-based therapy supported by numerous research studies and has proven to be effective for many individuals seeking relief from psychological distress related to past traumatic experiences.

See more at EMDRIA