Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)

Our brains have a natural way to recover from traumatic memories and events. This process involves communication between the amygdala (our alarm signal for stressful events), the hippocampus (which assists with learning, including memories about safety and danger), and the prefrontal cortex (which analyzes and controls behavior and emotion). While traumatic experiences can often be managed and resolved spontaneously, they might not be processed without help.

​

Stress responses are part of our natural fight, flight, or freeze instincts. When distress from a disturbing event remains, the upsetting images, thoughts, and emotions may create feelings of being back in that moment, or of being “frozen in time.” EMDR therapy helps the brain process these memories, and allows normal healing to resume. The experience is still remembered, but the fight, flight, or freeze response from the original event is resolved.

​

EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue or completing homework between sessions. EMDR therapy, rather than focusing on changing the emotions, thoughts, or behaviors resulting from the distressing issue, allows the brain to resume its natural healing process.

​

EMDR therapy helps children and adults of all ages to address a wide range of challenges: