Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)

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Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing is an evidence based, extensively researched form of therapy to help people "recover from trauma and other distressing life experiences, including PTSD, depression, anxiety and panic disorder." From the EMDRIA International Association website. 

 

"Eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation seem to activate your problem solving process; something that happens during REM sleep when your eyes are darting back and forth. By focusing on a specific problem, and both its negative and positive emotions, sensations, and beliefs, then adding bilateral stimulation, your brain begins problem solving. Since you are focused on the specific problem, your brain is able to work through it more effectively than what would happen if it randomly comes up while you are sleeping." EMDR Consulting. 

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From EMDRIA website: 

"How is EMDR therapy different from other therapies?

EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue. EMDR therapy, rather than focusing on changing the emotions, thoughts, or behaviors resulting from the distressing issue, allows the brain to resume its natural healing process. EMDR therapy is designed to resolve unprocessed traumatic memories in the brain. For many clients, EMDR therapy can be completed in fewer sessions than other psychotherapies." 

 

 "Healing doesn't mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls our lives." Unknown Author.