EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a therapy technique that was originally developed to treat the effects of trauma, and is recommended by organizations including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the American Psychiatric Association, and the World Health Organization.
During EMDR, the client recalls a disturbing memory or thought while the therapist employs bilateral stimulation — a rhythmic, side-to-side pattern. More information about what EMDR looks like and how it works can be found in the short video here.
Not everyone experiences Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but most people have gone through disturbing things in their lives. Something that may not affect one person very much can cause significant suffering for another. EMDR helps ease the lingering distress from these events, regardless of the label.
For more information about EMDR, you can visit the EMDR Institute, through which I received my training.
I’m always happy to discuss how EMDR might be useful for both current and future clients. Please reach out if you’d like to schedule some time to chat.