Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is an information processing therapy that allows the body/brain to complete processing of incomplete, emotionally charged events (i.e., trauma). The procedure uses the client's dual awareness (part of the self experiencing the process, and part of the self observing the experience) with bilateral stimulation (i.e., tapping or eye movements that alternate from right to left to right etcetera) to complete and integrate the memory so that the emotional distress associated with the memory is lessened. Clients who report extreme distress when remembering prior to treatment with EMDR, typically report a sense of distance from the memory  (i.e., memory without emotional charge) after treatment.

History of EMDR

In the late 1980's, Francine Shapiro realized that eye movements in conjunction with a distressing memory, reduced the intensity of the distress associated with the memory. In 1989 she began controlled studies of her procedure with patients with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and since then many such studies have been performed. The results show significant decreases in the stress associated with given memories after EMDR treatment.

Further information

For more information go to the EMDR Institute website.