EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing

EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based modality that has historically primarily treated trauma, but has expanded its scope over the past decade for treating anxiety and depression. EMDR helps clients to shift negative beliefs and damaging physical experiences to internalize positive self-beliefs and heal physical trauma.

EMDR empowers clients to gently reprocess their traumatic experiences- to move from negative beliefs and triggering patterns to internalize new, strengthening self-beliefs and to experience greater safety in their bodies. EMDR reorients clients to their trauma, by allowing the brain to integrate new information (called adaptive information processing) into traumatic memories and stored physical experiences. Consequently, previous triggers no longer hold the same charge for trauma survivors, as the brain is able to respond differently to previous stressors and stimulation.

The mechanism for change in EMDR is rapid horizontal eye movement and a structured protocol that targets intrusive thoughts, negative self-beliefs, and stored body sensations. EMDR effectively allows clients to reprocess trauma in a mostly nonverbal, experiential way that is highly effective and long-lasting. Following treatment, clients often report feeling less triggered, more at peace in their bodies, and better able to connect in their relationships.