What is Trauma/EMDR?

Trauma refers to a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that can have long-lasting effects on an individual's mental and emotional well-being. It often results from events that are overwhelming and cause intense physical or emotional pain or harm. These events can include, but are not limited to, physical or sexual assault, natural disasters, accidents, war, or witnessing a traumatic event. The impact of trauma varies greatly among individuals, with some experiencing lasting psychological effects like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and various physical health issues.

EMDR, which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a psychotherapy technique Dr. Francine Shapiro developed in the late 1980s. It is particularly effective in treating trauma and PTSD. The core of EMDR therapy involves the patient recalling traumatic memories while simultaneously receiving bilateral sensory input, such as side-to-side eye movements, hand tapping, or auditory tones. This process is believed to facilitate memory reprocessing, which can decrease the distress associated with the traumatic event.

The theory behind EMDR suggests that trauma can cause disturbances in the brain's normal information-processing system. By creating a structured environment where the individual can revisit these traumatic memories in a safe and controlled manner, EMDR aims to help the brain reprocess the memories more healthily. This therapy has been widely researched and is recognized as an effective treatment for trauma by organizations such as the American Psychological Association and the World Health Organization. Patients undergoing EMDR typically report a reduction in the emotional distress related to their traumatic memories and an improvement in their overall mental health.