What is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)?

EMDR is an evidence-based psychotherapy treatment that helps people heal from trauma and other distressing life experiences. Developed by Dr Francine Shapiro in 1987, EMDR is found to be highly effective for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic attacks, eating disorders, addictions, and anxiety. It can help people process upsetting memories, thoughts, and feelings, and can reduce the power of those memories. It can also help people replace negative thoughts with more positive ones.

How Does EMDR Work?

During EMDR, patients recall a traumatic memory while simultaneously focusing on a rhythmic back-and-forth eye movement or sound. The goal is to reprogram the memory with a more positive belief. EMDR may be done as an adjunct to DBT or RO-DBT, or as a treatment on its own.