Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is a type of psychotherapy that seeks to help individuals relieve psychological stress, most often caused by a traumatic or disturbing event. During EMDR therapy, the therapist directs eye movements while the individuals relive triggering experiences in very small doses. It is thought to be effective as recalling distressing events is often less upsetting when our attention is diverted, allowing the individual to be exposed to thoughts and memories without a strong psychological response. The belief underlying EMDR is that over time individuals will not be as impacted by memories or thoughts about the experience. EMDR typically involves eight phases that focus on past, present, and future, with each phase allowing the individual to work through emotional stress and learn skills to cope with future situations.