Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is a technique designed to alleviate the emotional pain associated with traumatic memories.  Francine Shapiro, Ph.D., developed this therapy that facilitates the accessing and processing of traumatic memories to bring these to an adaptive resolution. Successful EMDR treatment leads to relief of emotional distress, reformulation of negative beliefs, and reduction in physiological arousal.

With EMDR therapy, the client thinks about the emotionally disturbing memory or experience in brief  doses while simultaneously focusing on the "here and now".  Bilateral stimulation (left-to-right repeated "buzzing" of tappers held in each hand) leads to a decrease in reactivity and a reduction in disturbances, both emotional and physical, so helpful in coping with these conditions. 

Dr. Shapiro (1995, 2001) hypothesized that EMDR therapy facilitates access to the traumatic memory network so that new associations are forged between the traumatic memory and more adaptive information. New associations are thought to result in complete processing, new learning, elimination of emotional distress, and development of cognitive insights.