What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) is a therapeutic approach used to help individuals work through the distress of past traumas and adverse life experiences. During EMDR therapy, an individual will be asked to focus on an external stimulus while revisiting unpleasant memories. EMDR is a therapy that is structured to assist in reprocessing traumatic and distressing memories with the use of bilateral stimulation, typically using eye movement. This can help minimise the visceral and emotional reactions associated with traumatic memories. EMDR therapy does not directly focus on emotions and cognitions (thoughts) about a trauma, but instead changes the way the brain has stored the memory, which can in turn reduce and get rid of the troublesome symptoms.