Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is a thoroughly researched trauma treatment that is successful in treating many mental health concerns including PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, and Grief. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to neutralize activating trauma memories, images, and body sensations. Bilateral stimulation engages the left and right brain alternately through eye movements, tapping, or sound. This alternating stimulation of the left and right brain helps move the trauma memory from our survival brain, to the part of our brain that adaptively stores memory. This helps the memory to not feel so distressing and reduces the urge to fight back, run away, or freeze when triggered or reminded of the trauma. Trauma can also produce negative beliefs about self, others, and the world, such as “I’m not safe,” “I can’t trust anyone,” or “I’m not good enough.” EMDR helps shift this internal narrative to more helpful core beliefs. EMDR does not erase the memories, but it can reduce the emotional activation around the memories.
“It’s like that memory is dark green and by reprocessing it, I can turn it to light blue because dark green triggers me. The memory hasn’t changed, but the color has. Now I can look at the memory without being triggered because it’s light blue instead of dark green. Moving forward in my life, I can bring that new color with me. I’m always going to have the baggage, but the color of it can be different.”
-EMDR Client