Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing – EMDR

EMDR – Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing – is recommended for the treatment of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).

In a nutshell, the way it works is that the patient is talking about traumatic memories while engaging in horizontal side-to-side eye movements.  Why the eye movement? It stimulates the neurobiological state of REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep to help the brain process traumatic memories. It mimics the brain’s natural consolidation and regulation process during dreaming.

You can find EMDR specialists, and also people find that, after careful learning and consideration, individuals can perform EMDR themselves. Please don’t take this as advice.

(Video to help you with self-administered EMDR.)