What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a treatment developed by Francine Shapiro in 1989. EMDR is a way to help your brain re-organize difficult or painful memories. Research has shown that EMDR helps lessen emotional and physiological distress, and EMDR helps turn negative beliefs to more authentically positive thoughts and beliefs. 

I find EMDR similar to meditation or mindful awareness. In a reprocessing session, you will focus on a happy or distressing memory while either watching flashes of light, watching your therapist move her fingers back and forth, holding onto a small tapping device, or tapping yourself on alternating sides of your body. This works to help stimulate both sides of your brain in reprocessing the memory. Your therapist will also stop at different points to ask you some questions about what you are noticing about the memory, and what you are feeling in your body to help check in with how the process is going for you.

We can use EMDR to help with many different types of experiences including anxiety, depression, divorce, abuse, car accidents, addiction, or just feeling stuck.