Have you experienced something very frightening, were exposed to an accident, or are you a survivor of abuse or neglect? Whatever upsetting or traumatic experience you have had, EMDR can help you feel better.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is a structured approach where you briefly focus on a trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements, tones, or taps).
Unlike other treatments that focus on directly altering emotions, thoughts, and responses, EMDR therapy focuses directly on changing the way memories are stored in the brain, thus reducing and eliminating the problematic symptoms.
Processing traumatic memories in this way will allow normal healing to resume. For instance, an assault victim may shift from feeling terror and self-disgust to holding the firm belief that “I survived and I am powerful.” The net effect is that you’ll conclude EMDR therapy feeling empowered by the very experiences that once debased you.