Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is likely not comparable to your previous therapy experience. We will talk, especially during the beginning phases of EMDR, but the actual processing portion of EMDR does not require you to constantly retell your story. Likely, if you are reading this, the retelling of what has happened to you has not been of much help to date. You may still carry negative beliefs about yourself, find yourself getting triggered in the same situations, or just feel “stuck.” EMDR may be a good fit for you if you are brand new to therapy or if you have seen multiple therapists and are giving therapy another chance. 

So how does this work? We are learning more and more about how EMDR processes and heals. What we do know is that bilateral stimulation (such as tapping, using auditory cues, and yes-eye movements) mimics what occurs when we are in REM sleep. At this point, you may worry that EMDR is hypnosis. This modality is nothing like hypnosis. You are fully in control and conscious during EMDR. 

EMDR uses the natural healing power of the brain to recover disturbing, adverse, or traumatic memories and then process them in a healthy, contained way. EMDR is efficient and often provides results to clients in fewer sessions compared to traditional talk therapy.