Many of you have heard about EMDR, but what is it exactly? You might be wondering if it is a new fad, if it is actually effective, if it involves hypnosis, or if it is just hokey.
What Does EMDR Stand For?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a therapy that helps your brain process difficult or traumatic experiences that currently feel “stuck”. Sometimes, when something traumatic happens, your brain doesn’t fully process it. When this happens, the memory can keep triggering strong emotions, anxiety, or distress.
How Does EMDR Work?
During EMDR, we focus on parts of that specific memory while doing bilateral stimulation, like following hand movements or tapping. This process helps your brain reprocess the experience so it feels less overwhelming. The goal is for the trauma to feel more like something that happened in the past, rather than something that keeps affecting you in the present.
The Filing System Metaphor
"Think of your brain like a filing system. Most experiences get filed away properly. However, sometimes a stressful or traumatic event gets stuck in the wrong place, so it keeps getting triggered."
EMDR helps your brain finish processing the memory and file it correctly, so it no longer causes the same emotional distress. Ultimately, EMDR is a therapy that helps the brain process traumatic or distressing memories so they no longer feel as overwhelming or triggering.
Take the Next Step
If you are interested in learning more about EMDR and want to schedule a Free 30 Minute Consultation, please contact
