EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EDMR)
Intense dreams, flashbacks, and anxiety from trauma can induce isolation and disrupt daily life. Some people even find it difficult to leave their home. EDMR was developed by trauma therapists to help the brain process and release traumatic memories through eye movements. EDMR is another treatment option for post-traumatic stress, in addition to traditional therapy and medication.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy uses eye movements or rhythmic tapping to help the patient process painful memories, by changing the way the memory is stored in the brain. This therapy helps the patient recover from the effects of trauma by using their own body's natural functions.
How does EMDR therapy work?
EMDR is a non-traditional psychotherapy based on the theory that the brain does not process traumatic events correctly when they happen. The memories of a traumatic event can continue to haunt someone long after the actual trauma is over. When the brain cannot distinguish between the past and the present, it reacts as though the trauma is happening again, generating physical effects as well. EMDR therapy is designed to help the patient “reprocess” a disturbing memory in order to move past it.