EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a trauma therapy developed by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro. EMDR involves recalling a stressful past event and reprogramming the memory into a positive, self-chosen belief while using bilateral stimulation to facilitate the process. At the time of a traumatic event, strong emotions interfere with our ability to process the experience and the memory becomes stuck in time. When we are triggered and we recall the traumatic event we may feel as though we are reliving the event. These memories cause a negative impact on our daily functioning and interfere with the way we see ourselves, the world, and how we relate to others. EMDR therapy can release these stuck memories allowing you to resolve them. Over time the disturbing memory and associated beliefs, feelings, and sensations become resolved and you are able to think about the event without reliving it. The memory will still be there but it will cause less distress.
During an EMDR therapy session, you focus on the traumatic memory and the associated negative emotions and beliefs while participating in a form of bilateral stimulation. Some forms of bilateral stimulations are: tracking your therapist’s moving finger with your eyes as it moves back and forth, alternating hand taps, or bilateral tactile sensation.