EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy treatment developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences. EMDR therapy integrates elements of many traditional psychological orientations and is based on the adaptive information processing model (AIP). The AIP model hypothesizes that there is an inherent information processing system in the brain that gets blocked when traumatic events occur, causing these events to get locked in the brain with the original picture, sounds, thoughts, feelings and body sensations. Whenever a reminder of the traumatic event comes up, those pictures, thoughts, feelings, and sensations can continue to be triggered. Through the combination of focus on distressing stimuli and bilateral stimulation to the brain using eye movement from side-to-side or a device called “tappers” (small objects that an individual can hold in their hands that vibrate and alternate from right to left side), the brain works to heal the emotional wound. Once the brain is able to digest and reprocess the memories stored in the emotional part of the brain in a more adaptive manner, healing can occur and symptoms decrease or disappear. (description adapted from EMDR Institute and Ana Gomez Therapy)
General EMDR Information
EMDR and Attachment Trauma
A Helpful Explanation for Kids: Lightening Bolts
An Adoptive Mother’s Explanation of EMDR