what is emdr?
A therapy that helps the brain finish healing
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a structured, evidence-based psychotherapy that helps people recover from trauma and other distressing life experiences. Rather than focusing mainly on talking through a memory week after week, EMDR helps the brain reprocess it, so the memory loses its emotional charge and stops running the present.
Many people come to EMDR after years of knowing why they feel the way they do, but still feeling it anyway. EMDR works on that gap between understanding and relief.
What EMDR can help with
EMDR was first developed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and that is where its research base is strongest. Therapists also use it to help with:
Single-incident trauma, such as a car accident, assault or sudden loss
Ongoing or childhood trauma, including neglect and emotional abuse
Anxiety, panic and phobias
Grief and complicated loss
Distressing memories that keep resurfacing
Negative beliefs about yourself, such as "I'm not safe" or "I'm not enough"
What a session is like
During EMDR, you briefly bring a distressing memory to mind while your attention is also directed to something outside yourself, called bilateral stimulation. This is usually guided side-to-side eye movements, but it can also be alternating taps or tones. You stay awake, alert and in control the whole time, and you can pause whenever you need to.
You don't have to describe every detail of what happened. Many clients find this one of the most welcome parts of EMDR.
Is EMDR evidence-based?
Yes. EMDR is recommended for the treatment of PTSD by major health organizations, including the World Health Organization and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense. It has been studied in dozens of randomized controlled trials.
Is EMDR right for me?
EMDR is not one-size-fits-all, and the first step is always a conversation. A trained EMDR therapist will learn about your history, help you build coping skills, and make sure you feel ready before any memory work begins.
Keep reading: How EMDR Works · The History of EMDR