EMDR

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured psychotherapy technique used to help people recover from trauma and other distressing life experiences. It involves recalling a distressing memory while a therapist guides you through bilateral stimulation — such as side-to-side eye movements, tapping, or sounds — to help the brain process the memory and reduce its emotional charge.

How it works

• Processing trauma: Trauma can overwhelm the brain's natural processing capabilities, leaving distressing memories "stuck" and easily triggered. EMDR helps the brain process these memories and resolve the associated negative emotions, beliefs, and sensations.
• Bilateral stimulation: The core of EMDR involves a back-and-forth stimulus while you focus on the memory — typically following the therapist's finger with your eyes, but tapping or auditory tones can also be used.
• Brain integration: This process is thought to help the brain reprocess the memory so it is less overwhelming. The experience is still remembered, but the emotional intensity is significantly reduced.

What it can help with

EMDR was originally developed for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and is now used for a range of conditions, including anxiety disorders, depression, phobias, panic disorders, eating disorders, and other mental health conditions related to distressing past events.