emdr trauma therapy

EMDR, short for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is an innovative therapy designed to aid in the processing of trauma and traumatic triggers. Developed by Francine Shapiro in 1988, EMDR has undergone extensive research and has proven to be highly effective in addressing various forms of trauma, such as attachment-based trauma, car accidents, war trauma, sexual assault, chronic pain, anxiety, and depression.



EMDR offers a swift pathway to effectiveness, often achieving results in just a few sessions. By harnessing the body's natural healing mechanisms, EMDR facilitates the connection between the brain and body's memory networks to fully process traumatic memories, guided by the individual and supported by a therapist.

During an EMDR session, individuals focus on a distressing memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation, which involves activities like eye movements, tapping, or auditory cues that alternate from left to right. This bilateral stimulation assists in diminishing the intensity of emotional and physical responses associated with the memory.

Through the activation of both brain hemispheres, individuals can navigate past the trauma and alleviate the emotional and physical toll it imposes on the nervous system. Importantly, verbalizing the traumatic event is not mandatory in EMDR, allowing individuals to tap into their natural healing capacities and arrive at new connections and insights independently, often resulting in a sense of empowerment upon full memory processing.

The outcomes of EMDR foster closure and expedite healing by integrating the trauma's impact on the brain and body. Following EMDR therapy, individuals retain memory of the event without experiencing the distress of reliving it, enabling them to manage triggers or associated feelings more effectively moving forward.