What is EMDR?

Most of the time, your body is able to manage new information and create new memories in a natural way. However, when you are traumatized by an overwhelming event (car accident, assault), or by continual distress (childhood neglect), the memories are stored in a more fragmented way by the brain’s limbic system. The result is that the emotions associated with the memories are triggered whenever you experience similar events, and painful feelings like anxiety, panic, and depression can become chronic conditions. 

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a process that was developed by Francine Shapiro in 1987, and it is used to treat a wide range of mental health problems, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. EMDR helps to create the connections in the brain’s memory networks which allow memories to be “re-processed” in a natural way. This is similar in some ways to what occurs during REM sleep. 

EMDR is widely recognized as an effective treatment for PTSD. Since I was trained in EMDR a few years ago, I have been privileged to witness many of my clients experience significant relief from their symptoms. You can visit www.emdria.com or www.emdr.com if you would like more information.