Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a relatively new therapeutic technique originally used to resolve emotional responses to trauma.
This method utilizes rapid alternating eye movements similar to those which accompany dream sleep. Tthe movements of dream sleep, REM. "rapid eye movement" sleep seem to enable the brain to process and store recent events. Ordinarily this processing occurs regularly with the events of the day. However, when a trauma occurs, it seems to get locked in the nervous system with the original picture, sounds, thoughts and feelings. The traumatic event does not go through the normal processing and storage. The eye movements in E MDR can unlock the nervous system and allow the brain to resolve the experience. Many clients successfully treated with EMDR report significant and lasting improvement in target areas of treatment. For some, it provides more rapid resolution of long standing difficulties as compared to traditional therapy.
Pat Yoder is a licensed psychologist, level II trained in EM DR.
