Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a psychotherapy approach designed to help individuals process and alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories and experiences.

During an EMDR session, the therapist guides the client through a series of bilateral stimulation techniques, which often involve rhythmic eye movements, auditory tones, or tapping. These techniques are believed to mimic the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep, facilitating the brain’s natural processing of traumatic memories.

EMDR aims to help individuals reprocess distressing memories in a way that reduces their emotional charge, allowing them to integrate the memories into their life narrative without triggering intense negative emotions. The therapy involves a structured eight-phase approach that includes history-taking, preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation, body scan, closure, and reevaluation.