Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful treatment method that helps to relieve many symptoms of psychological distress, including panic attacks, phobias, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress, sexual or physical abuse, and complicated grief.
In an EMDR session a disturbing image, sensation, and emotion is identified, along with the current belief held about that event. Then bilateral stimulation of the brain is used (by holding vibrating paddles or listening to sound with ear phones) while you focus on the disturbing material. Each person will process the information uniquely depending on their values and personal experiences. Processing continues until the disturbing event lessens and is associated with a positive thought about one’s self: “It wasn’t my fault,” or “I’m safe now.” Often in an EMDR session intense emotions arise, but by the end of a session most individuals experience a significant reduction in the level of disturbance.