What Is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a research-backed therapy that helps people heal from trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and other distressing life experiences. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (such as guided eye movements, tapping, or sounds) to help the brain process and release painful memories that are “stuck.”

Traumatic memories can feel as vivid and overwhelming as the day they happened. EMDR helps reduce the emotional charge of these memories so that you can recall them without reliving them. Over time, many clients experience relief from symptoms like flashbacks, anxiety, panic attacks, or emotional numbness.

How EMDR Can Help You

EMDR is particularly effective for:

  • PTSD and complex trauma

  • Childhood abuse or neglect

  • Anxiety and panic

  • Grief and loss

  • Addiction recovery support

  • Disturbing memories or nightmares

  • First responders and veterans carrying critical incident stress

You don’t need to go into every detail of your trauma to experience healing. EMDR focuses on helping your brain do what it naturally wants to do: heal.

Learn more at the National Center for PTSD.