Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an extensively researched and effective therapy method shown to help people recover from trauma and other difficult life experiences.
Stress responses are part of our natural fight, flight, or freeze instincts when we are in an overwhelming situation. When distress from a disturbing event remains, the upsetting images, sensations, and emotions remain "stuck" and often keep individuals feeling triggered and disconnected. EMDR therapy helps the brain process these memories, and allows normal healing to resume. The experience is still remembered, but much of the reactions, emotions, and disturbing thoughts have resolved so that individuals can make choices about how they would like to live their lives moving forward.