What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an effective, evidence-based therapeutic treatment that utilizes Bilateral Stimulation (BLS) to help the brain unblock, process and re-process memories that are maladaptive and distressing. BLS can be utilized through the use of eye movements-- similar to REM cycle sleep eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones so that both the right and left region of the brain may work together to reprocess and heal distressing thoughts and memories. The process and completion of EMDR therapy has been shown to significantly decrease symptoms such as anxiety, depression, panic, intrusive thoughts, night terrors, phobic behaviors, flashbacks, complicated grief, identity issues and other reactions of trauma. EMDR helps clients to re-process traumatic memories so that the painful emotions are no longer associated with the event, causing life distress.