Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy treatment that was originally designed to alleviate the distress associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Recently, it has been found that EMDR can also help with a variety of life struggles like eating disorders, panic attacks, grief, phobias, anxiety, and those traumas we all suffered during childhood, plus much more! EMDR is a structured therapy that encourages the person to briefly focus on a specific memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (eye movements, sounds, or gentle touch), which is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with the memories.
Initially, you meet with the therapist for an assessment to see if EMDR is right for you and your specific struggle or struggles. If you and your therapist think EMDR is the best course of therapy, your therapist will discuss your treatment plan which includes the number of sessions required depending on your type of problem, your life circumstance, and the severity of previous trauma you have in your life. After EMDR therapy, clients usually report a great decrease in the amount of negative emotion.
