EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a specialized psychotherapy technique primarily used to treat trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but is also effective with other mental health difficulties. Developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR involves guiding clients through the processing of traumatic memories while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones. The process aims to help the brain reprocess disturbing memories, reducing their emotional intensity and the distress they cause.

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During an EMDR session, the therapist asks the client to recall a traumatic event while following the therapist's hand movements or another form of bilateral stimulation. This dual focus allows the client to access and reprocess the trauma in a safe and controlled environment, helping to integrate the memory in a way that diminishes its power over the individual. EMDR has been shown to be effective not only for trauma but also for anxiety, phobias, and other mental health conditions, offering a structured and evidence-based approach to healing.