What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy was developed in the late 1980s as a way to treat PTSD. EMDR is a somatic therapy that helps the brain form new neural pathways, essentially retraining how distressing memories are processed. It has been found to be effective in treating a wide range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other trauma-related disorders. It incorporates eye movements, hand tapping, or other forms of bilateral stimulation as a way to help the brain process traumatic experiences. EMDR therapy is based on the idea that traumatic experiences can cause disruptions in the way the brain processes information, and that these disruptions can lead to symptoms of mental illness.

During an EMDR therapy session, the therapist will guide the client through a series of eye movements, hand tapping, or other forms of bilateral stimulation while the client focuses on a traumatic memory or other distressing experience. With a therapist, you first identify specific memories or negative beliefs to target, then build coping tools—such as grounding strategies—to manage emotional intensity. During processing, you focus on a selected memory while following your therapist’s back-and-forth finger movements with your eyes. Periodically, the therapist pauses to ask what you notice, which could be a thought, feeling, physical sensation, or even nothing at all—there is no right response. This process continues until the memory becomes less emotional or physically distressing, which may take one or multiple sessions depending on its emotional weight. Because EMDR is not suitable or necessary for everyone, a trained or certified therapist can help determine whether it is an appropriate approach for you.

How Can EMDR Therapy Help a Person?

1. Reduce Symptoms of Mental Illness

EMDR therapy has been found to be effective in reducing symptoms of mental illness, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. By processing traumatic experiences in a safe and supportive environment, clients can reduce the negative emotions associated with those experiences and develop new coping strategies to manage their symptoms.

‍ ‍2. Improve Self-Esteem

EMDR therapy can also help improve a person's self-esteem. By reducing the negative emotions associated with traumatic experiences, clients can develop a more positive self-image and a greater sense of self-worth.

‍ ‍3. Develop Coping Strategies

EMDR therapy can help a person develop new coping strategies to manage their symptoms. By processing traumatic experiences in a safe and supportive environment, clients can learn new ways to manage their emotions and develop healthy coping strategies.

‍ ‍4. Improve Relationships

EMDR therapy can also help a person improve their relationships. By reducing the negative emotions associated with traumatic experiences, clients can develop healthier ways of relating to others and improve their relationships with friends, family, and romantic partners.

‍ ‍5. Enhance Performance

EMDR therapy can also enhance a person's performance in areas such as sports or work. By reducing the negative emotions associated with traumatic experiences, clients can develop a greater sense of confidence and a more positive mindset, which can lead to improved performance.