Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of psychotherapy that was developed in the 1980s by Francine Shapiro to help individuals overcome the emotional distress associated with traumatic memories. It is based on the idea that when an individual experiences a traumatic event, their brain may not fully process the experience, leaving the memories and associated emotions unprocessed and trapped in the brain.

During EMDR therapy, I will guide you through a series of eye movements (or other bilateral stimulation) while you focuses on a particular memory or thought. I will ask you to report on your experience during the process, including any emotions or physical sensations that come up. EMDR is helpful for people who do not want to have to explain in detail their traumatic experiences.

The idea behind EMDR is that the eye movements or other bilateral stimulation help to "unlock" the unprocessed memories and allow the brain to process them in a more healthy way. As the memories are processed, the individual's distress associated with the memories should decrease.

EMDR has been extensively researched and has been found to be effective in treating a variety of mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, and depression. It is often used in conjunction with other forms of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).