Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR):

What is it?

EMDR is an effective treatment method for resolving emotional difficulties that are a result of difficult (scary, life threatening, painful) life experiences.

When an upsetting, frightening or painful experience happens to us, sometimes the memory of this experience gets "stuck" in the mind and the body. An example of this mind/body connection is the way that thinking of your favorite food can make your mouth water!

Another example is a person who was involved in a serious car accident. This person may find it very difficult to drive under the same circumstances. They may begin to sweat and tremble if they drive by the same area the accident happened or may also be unable to drive in the same road conditions (time of day, weather, etc.). They may even avoid driving completely. Their loved ones may feel as if the person needs to "just get over it" and to "relax." However; they do not realize that until the trauma memory has been resolved, this person will continue to struggle.

What does a session look like?

During an EMDR session, the therapist assists the client process the traumatic by having the client focus on the memory while the therapist facilitates the movement of the clients eyes by moving their fingers back and forth. Other forms of dual attention stimulation of the brain (sounds, hand taps, etc.) may also be used instead of the therapists fingers.

Sets of these eye movements (or other stimuli) are continued until the memory becomes less disturbing and is associated with a positive thought such as "I did the best that I could." Most people report a reduction of the level of disturbance after the EMDR session is complete.

How does it work?

It is not clear how the eye movements (or other forms of stimuli) used with EMDR make it so effective. It may because the eye movements work similarly to the eye movements that occur in REM sleep (the other way the brain processes memory). Or that the dual attention stimulation promotes relaxation or distraction that makes it easier to focus on the trauma.

Does it work with children?

Yes. There have been positive effects of EMDR with children. It has been used successfully with children after the Oklahoma City bombing, Hurricane Andrew, the shootings in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and 9/11.

For more information on EMDR with adults: Adult EMDR Brochure

For more information on EMDR with children: Child EMDR Brochure