What is EMDR?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It’s a type of therapy that helps people heal from traumatic or stressful life experiences—even ones that happened many years ago.

When something painful, frightening, or overwhelming happens, our brain doesn’t always process the memory the way it processes everyday events. Instead, the memory can get “stuck” in both the mind and body.

When that happens, you might feel the same fear, sadness, or panic you felt during the original event—as if it’s happening all over again. Even though it’s in the past, your brain and body can still perceive it as a current threat.

In EMDR, the therapist helps you recall the event in a safe, supportive environment while guiding you through bilateral stimulation— this could be eye movements from left to right, gentle tapping, or alternating sounds. This rhythmic left-right stimulation activates both sides of the brain, helping it “re-file” the memory into the past instead of experiencing it like it’s happening now.

EMDR is thought to work in a way that’s similar to REM sleep, the phase of sleep where your eyes naturally move back and forth and your brain processes emotional experiences. By tapping into this natural processing system, EMDR helps reduce the emotional charge of the memory.

After EMDR, you’ll still remember what happened—but it will feel less intense, less triggering, and more like a memory in the past than a current threat. You might even find yourself thinking: “Yes, that happened… but it’s over. I’m safe now.”

When EMDR is integrated with somatic (body-based) approaches, it can be even more powerful. Together, they help the mind and body complete the processing of trauma, leading to lasting healing.

If you’re curious about EMDR and how it might help you, I’d be happy to talk. You can contact me here to schedule a free consultation.