Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy approach used to process distressing memories that are the basis of a wide range of clinical complaints. Comprehensive treatment includes attention to past, present, and future not only to address overt symptoms but also to increase attributes associated with a positive quality of life.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing is an integrative approach originally developed to resolve symptoms resulting from exposure to a traumatic event. Its clinical applications are directed by a theoretical model that emphasizes the brain's information processing system and that views symptoms as arising when memories are inadequately processed. In addition to the efficacious treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), EMDR is also now used to process all kinds of negative life experiences, such as rejection, failure, loss, stress, and conflict, and to bring these to an adaptive resolution.

EMDR uses an eight-phase approach to directly address the experiences physically stored in the brain's memory networks. Treatment involves processing the past experiences that set the groundwork for the problem, the current situations that trigger the disturbance, and new memory “templates” for adaptive future functioning. During the processing phases of EMDR, the client initially attends to the disturbing memory while simultaneously focusing on an external stimulus (e.g., therapist-directed lateral eye movements, alternate hand tapping, or bilateral auditory tones). Standardized procedures are used that allow the emergence of new insights, memories, and emotions, until the targeted event arrives at an adaptive resolution. The client then recalls the incident with a new perspective, elicitation of insight, resolution of the cognitive distortions, elimination of emotional distress, and relief of related physiological arousal.