What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) was developed by Francine Shapiro in 1987 as a way to engage the mind and body’s natural healing processes to treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Since then, EMDR has been shown to effectively address a wide range of mental health concerns.
Today, EMDR is a well-established therapeutic approach that has helped millions of individuals worldwide. Its effectiveness and reliability are supported by extensive scientific research.
Leading organizations—including the American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, Department of Defense, Veterans Administration, major insurance providers, and the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies—recognize EMDR as an evidence-based treatment for PTSD.
How does EMDR work?
EMDR makes use of your body’s natural ability to heal. After an initial assessment and treatment plan, you and your clinician will work together to revisit core memories or traumatic events that may still be shaping how you experience the world today.
During EMDR, bilateral stimulation—similar to the process that happens during REM sleep—is used. This may involve following your therapist’s hand as it moves back and forth across your field of vision, or sometimes using a light bar, tapping, or headphones.
The stimulation is applied in short sets, followed by pauses where you share what thoughts, feelings, or images arise. Over time, the memory being processed often loses its emotional intensity and is re-stored as a neutral memory of the past. Related memories may also shift, leading to a broader sense of healing and relief.
Throughout the process, you remain fully awake, alert, and in control—it is not hypnosis. You can stop at any point, and your therapist will guide the process gently, allowing your mind’s natural healing to unfold. Many people find that new insights and connections emerge on their own, making EMDR feel like an empowering and organic form of therapy.
EMDR can help accelerate healing by reducing the impact of past trauma and allowing you to live more fully in the present. While it isn’t the right fit for everyone, most people find the process safe and effective. Some sessions may bring up strong emotions or uncomfortable thoughts, but these experiences are usually brief and part of the natural healing process.
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