What is EMDR and how does it work?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapy useful in addressing the symptoms associated with stress and trauma, such as flashbacks, panic attacks, intrusive thoughts, anxiety, phobias and depression.

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The therapy is based on the idea that some traumatic experiences may not get fully integrated into our memory. They get “stuck” in the information-processing system of the brain and can continue to elicit similar emotions and physical sensations from the original experience. EMDR works to reprocess these experiences and integrate them into memory so that they no longer hold the same emotional charge or elicit the same level of distress.

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This process is done through bilateral and/or dual awareness stimulation, such as eye movements, tapping, pulsing or auditory stimuli. EMDR accelerates the brain’s natural methods of recovery from traumatic events, mimicking a similar process that is thought to take place during REM sleep.

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EMDR has been extensively researched and validated by governmental and regulatory bodies around the world, as well as the World Health Organization (WHO).

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To learn more, watch the video below or email me at chranowsky.therapy@gmail.com.