Eye Movement Desensitization and Processing (EMDR) can help you process upsetting memories, thoughts, and feelings related to distress and trauma. By processing these experiences, you can get relief from Anxiety, Depression, PTSD symptoms., Panic Attacks, and other mental health disorders.

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Eye Movement Desensitization and Processing (EMDR) was developed in 1987, by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro.

She made the chance observation that eye movements can reduce the intensity of disturbing thoughts under certain conditions.

Dr. Shapriro studied this effect scientifically and, in 1989, she reported success using EMDR to treat victims of trauma in the Journal of Traumatic Stress.

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Since, then EMDR has developed and evolved through the contributions of therapists and researchers all over the world. Today EMDR is a set of evidence based protocols that incorporate elements from many different treatment approaches.

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What type of treatment is this?

EMDR is a well research form of psychotherapy. EMDR can help you process upsetting memories, thoughts, and feelings related to the emotional wounds. By processing these experiences, you can get relief from a variety of symptoms.

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How Does It Work?

After trauma, people with PTSD often have trouble making sense of what happened to them. EMDR helps you process the trauma, which can allow you to start to heal. In EMDR, you will pay attention to a back-and-forth movement or sound while you call to mind the upsetting memory until shifts occur in the way that you experience that memory and more information from the past is processed. Although EMDR is an effective treatment for PTSD, there is disagreement about how it works. Some research shows that the back and forth movement is an important part of treatment, but other research shows the opposite.

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Who can it help? 

Children, Teenagers, and Adults

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Clinicians have reported success, using EMDR in the treatment of the following conditions:

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Distressful and disturbing memories

Childhood Trauma

Post-Traumatic Stress

Dissociative Disorders

Intrusive thoughts

Depression

Phobias, Panic Attacks, Anxiety

Performance Anxiety

Stress Reduction

First Responders (any individual who runs toward an event rather than away)

Single Incident Trauma

Addictions

Sexual and/or physical abuse

Grief and Loss

Lack of confidence and low-self-esteem

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