Well, fun fact, they can’t say exactly the reason it works! While EMDR is one of the most researched trauma treatment modalities, the jury is still out on the one reason it works. The leading theory is that by using bilateral stimulation to activate both brain hemispheres, we mimic the REM process during sleep. This taps into the natural process the brain inherently holds to help us heal.

EMDR is for any kind of trauma. From single events (car accidents, natural disasters, violence, etc.) to repeated incidents of traumas (rejection, disappointment, breakups, neglect, etc.), EMDR can be beneficial in helping us get unstuck from negative beliefs about ourselves.

We don’t rush into EMDR in our work together. It’s important to build a level of safety and trust in the room first. Importantly, EMDR is not a magic wand for fixing us, though it can help. We do hard work through EMDR, noticing related thoughts, negative beliefs, images, body sensations, and emotions connected to our experiences. As we make space, witness them, and feel them, we allow the brain to process what it never had the chance too.