EMDR

Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a scientifically validated psychotherapy approach designed to help individuals process distressing memories and traumatic experiences effectively. It was developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980’s and has since become widely used and respected within the mental health community.

EMDR involves a structured eight-phase approach aimed at addressing past experiences that have overwhelmed the brain’s natural coping mechanisms, resulting in the development of symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and phobias. This therapy utilizes bilateral stimulation, which can include side-by-side eye movements, sounds, or taps, to assist the brain in processing these memories.

The bilateral stimulation used in EMDR helps individuals reprocess distressing memories, allowing them to integrate these memories adaptively. During EMDR sessions, clients recall a traumatic event while simultaneously focusing on externals stimulus (e.g. moving the eyes side to side, or tapping the left then right leg). This helps the brain reorganize and store the memory in a more healthy way.