EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing—a therapy that uses bilateral stimulation to help process traumatic memories.
What It Means
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy developed by Francine Shapiro in 1987. It helps people process traumatic memories that have become 'stuck'—memories that continue to cause distress because the brain hasn't fully processed them.
During EMDR, a therapist guides you to recall distressing memories while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation—typically following the therapist's finger with your eyes, but sometimes using tapping or audio tones. This appears to help the brain reprocess the memory so it becomes less emotionally charged.
EMDR has strong research support for PTSD and is recommended by the World Health Organization and the American Psychological Association. It's also used for anxiety, depression, and phobias. Many people find it works faster than traditional talk therapy for trauma.
How This Relates to ILTY
ILTY doesn't perform EMDR—that requires a trained therapist. But ILTY can help you process the day-to-day anxiety and emotional responses that traumatic experiences create, support you between EMDR sessions, and help you decide if EMDR might be right for you.
Example
After a car accident, you might flinch every time you hear brakes screech, even years later. The memory is 'stuck' in its original form. EMDR helps your brain reprocess that memory so the screech still registers but no longer triggers a full panic response.
Related Terms
Your body's automatic stress response that prepares you to face danger or escape it—often misfiring in modern life.
A body-oriented therapy that addresses trauma and stress stored in the nervous system through physical sensation awareness.
Your autonomic nervous system regulates your stress response. Dysregulation means your body stays in fight-or-flight even when there's no danger.
Related Resources
Put Knowledge Into Practice
Understanding concepts is valuable. Applying them to your own life is where the change happens. ILTY helps you do both.