About EMDR

“EMDR” stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, which is an evidence-based therapy to process trauma, distressing events, anxiety, or negative beliefs about ourselves.

After a trauma or distressing event, our brain reacts by having unprocessed or “damaged” memories or beliefs. Sometimes, we know something to not be true, but we don’t quite feel it to be true.

EMDR can go back and “rewire” some of these memories. This happens through tapping into the brain’s Adaptive Information Processing Network, which accelerates reprocessing of negative memories. This works by accessing different areas of your brain like the more “emotional” centers that focus on “protecting” you. By accessing these areas of the brain, our brain is able to “reprocess” memories, so they don’t feel like a present danger. With EMDR, your past experiences will not feel as present or emotionally charged.

Many people like first-responders, survivors of abuse, veterans, or people experiencing a range of challenges have benefited with EMDR therapy. I am an EMDR trained therapist and have gone through the process as a client, which has given me some insights on what it feels like on the “client side”. You can read more about EMDR here.