EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

What EMDR is

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based therapy developed in the late 1980s by Francine Shapiro for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It uses bilateral stimulation — typically guided eye movements, but sometimes alternating sounds or taps — while the patient briefly recalls a distressing memory. The mechanism is debated, but the outcome is consistent: many patients report that the memory loses its emotional charge after several sessions.

What EMDR looks like in practice

A typical course is 8-12 sessions of 60-90 minutes each. In session, you identify a specific traumatic memory, recall it briefly while following the clinician's guided bilateral stimulation, and observe what comes up. The clinician helps you process what arises. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR doesn't require detailed verbal recounting of the trauma.

What EMDR treats well

EMDR is the strongest evidence-based therapy for PTSD specifically and is recommended by the World Health Organization, the American Psychological Association, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. It's also used for complex trauma, performance anxiety, and other anxiety conditions where memory reprocessing is helpful.