What is EMDR?

Sometimes talking about things doesn’t seem to help. It can simply bring back memories which are troubling or disturbing, and reawaken all the unpleasant feelings attached to those situations.

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. EMDR is a therapeutic technique, which involves concentrating on a troubling memory or emotion while gently applying bilateral stimulation, originally, but not necessarily, by moving the eyes rapidly back and forth. This rapid eye movement (which occurs naturally in dreaming sleep) seems to speed the healing process.

EMDR can help to reduce troubling symptoms such as anxiety, guilt, anger, flashbacks, nightmares, panic attacks, some depression and phobias. EMDR is best known for resolution of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. More information about EMDR can be found at www.emdrnetwork.org . More information about PTSD can be found at www.ncptsd.va.gov/facts/general/fs_what_is_ptsd.html .