EMDR

What EMDR actually is

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It’s a structured, trauma-focused therapy developed to help people recover from disturbing memories, most often in post-traumatic stress disorder. The distinctive piece is bilateral stimulation, usually side-to-side eye movements, but sometimes taps or tones, that a person follows while they briefly bring a painful memory to mind.

The idea behind EMDR is that trauma can leave a memory stored in a raw, unprocessed way, so it keeps triggering strong reactions long after the event. By recalling the memory in short doses alongside the guided movements, a person can process it more fully, so it loses some of its emotional charge and feels more like a memory of the past than a threat in the present.

What EMDR looks like in practice

EMDR follows a set of phases. Early on, the therapist takes a history and teaches grounding and calming skills, so the person has tools before any hard memories come up. Then, in the processing phase, the person holds a target memory in mind, notices the images, thoughts, and body sensations tied to it, and follows the therapist’s hand or another rhythmic cue in short sets.

Between sets, the therapist checks in on what shifted. Over time, the distress linked to the memory tends to drop, and a more balanced belief, like “I’m safe now,” can take the place of an old one like “It was my fault.” Unlike some therapies, EMDR doesn’t require a person to describe the trauma in detail or to do homework between sessions, which some people find more bearable.

What EMDR isn’t

EMDR isn’t hypnosis, and it doesn’t put a person in a trance or take away their control. The person stays awake, aware, and in charge throughout.

It also isn’t a way to erase memories. The memory stays. What changes is how much it hurts to recall it. And the eye movements themselves aren’t magic. EMDR is a full, structured therapy delivered by a trained professional, not just moving your eyes back and forth.

Related terms you’ll see next

• PTSD
• Flashback
• Exposure therapy
• Triggered

When to seek professional care

Anyone living with the aftermath of trauma, including flashbacks, nightmares, being easily startled, or avoiding reminders of what happened, may benefit from a trauma-focused therapy like EMDR. It should be done with a licensed clinician trained in the approach, who can pace the work safely. If trauma symptoms feel overwhelming, or a person has thoughts of harming themselves, reach out for help right away by calling or texting 988 in the US to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

<blockquote>
  <p><strong>EMDR:</strong> EMDR, short for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a trauma-focused therapy that uses guided eye movements or other rhythmic cues while a person recalls distressing memories.</p>
  <p>&mdash; <a href="https://shrinktionary.com/terms/emdr/">Shrinktionary</a>, a plain-English mental health dictionary, medically reviewed by a board certified psychiatrist.</p>
</blockquote>