EMDR

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While walking through the woods in 1987, Francine Shapiro noticed that her distressing thoughts seemed to fade as her eyes moved rapidly back and forth across her surroundings. Curious, she experimented with this eye movement on herself and others, finding that it significantly reduced emotional distress tied to traumatic memories. This serendipitous discovery led her to develop Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a groundbreaking therapy for trauma and PTSD.

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Francine Shapiro

“For all of us, unprocessed memories are generally the basis of negative responses, attitudes and behaviors. Processed memories, on the other hand, are the basis of adaptive positive responses, attitudes and behaviors.”

  • EMDR helps people process distressing memories by using bilateral stimulation, usually through guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory cues. The process mimics the brain’s natural way of processing information, similar to what happens during REM sleep. By recalling traumatic memories while engaging in these movements, the brain can reprocess the experience, reducing emotional distress and allowing for healthier integration of the memory.

  • No, EMDR does not erase memories. It helps change how they are stored in the brain. After EMDR, people still remember the event, but it no longer carries the same emotional intensity or distress. Instead of feeling overwhelmed or stuck in the past, they can recall the memory with a sense of resolution and distance.

  • While EMDR is best known for treating PTSD and trauma, research shows it can also be effective for:

    • Anxiety and panic disorders

    • Depression

    • Phobias and fears

    • Grief and loss

    • Addictions and compulsive behaviors

    • Chronic pain and stress-related conditions

    EMDR works by helping the brain reprocess distressing experiences, which can be helpful in a wide range of mental health challenges beyond trauma.

  • That’s normal! I’m here to help answer your questions. As always, you’re in control of this space. Also, the website for the EMDR International Association is a great resource.