Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy approach that helps individuals process traumatic memories and reduce distress associated with past experiences. Developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the 90’s, EMDR is based on the idea that traumatic memories can become "stuck" in the brain, contributing to ongoing emotional distress and negative beliefs about oneself.
During EMDR sessions, clients recall distressing memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as moving their eyes back and forth, experiencing side to side light vibrations on hand-held devices, or listening to alternating sounds. This bilateral stimulation helps facilitate the reprocessing of traumatic memories, allowing clients to integrate these experiences into their broader memory network in a healthier and more adaptive way.