EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based treatment technique developed in the 1980s that originally was used to help people who had experienced trauma and were experiencing PTSD symptoms.  Currently, EMDR is used treat a variety of other issues such as:

• Complex trauma (CPTSD)
• Relationship and attachment issues
• Chronic stress
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Phobias
• Chronic pain and migraines

By using eye movements and other types of bilateral stimulation (BLS), EMDR helps the brain make connection between traumatic and disturbing memories and beliefs and more adaptive perceptions.  EMDR therapy stimulates similar connections in the brain to eat happens in REM sleep.

THIS LINK to a youtube video explains how EMDR works and shows an example of what bilateral stimulation and eye movement therapy looks like.  

After doing EMDR therapy, many people report that the memories they have of traumatic events are no longer upsetting.  They also find that they stop feeling “triggered” in the present by events associated with past traumas.  EMDR also helps to alleviate physical symptoms and somatic ailments such as chronic pain, migraines, and other types of physical ailments.  Because EMDR can provide symptom relief in a short period of time, it is considered a cutting edge treatment for a variety of different issues.

You can learn more about EMDR here.