EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is one of the most effective evidenced-based therapies in the world for people who want to heal from pain and ongoing distress that can result from trauma and other disturbing life experiences.  Repeated studies show that by using EMDR therapy, people can experience the benefits of psychotherapy that once took years to make a difference.

The initial work in EMDR focuses on understanding a person’s current issues (what brought you into therapy) and then gathering a history of “feeder memories” - those memories of past experiences that might be driving unhealthy responses to those current issues.

Once we identify the feeder memories, we can begin reprocessing them. Reprocessing is a way of properly “digesting” unresolved past experiences - we store what is useful from those experiences while letting go of what no longer serves us.

Reprocessing involves bilateral stimulation (BLS). BLS is simply using something you can see, hear or feel that crosses the body in a rhythmic pattern - typically you will follow my fingers from left to right while processing memories. BLS mimics the eye movements that we equate with REM sleep. Like REM sleep, BLS allows the brain to activate both sides of the brain while processing information.

Your brain’s information processing system naturally moves toward mental health.  If the system is blocked by the impact of a disturbing event, you may have an emotional wound that festers, causing suffering.  Through EMDR, we can remove the blocks so that healing can happen.