We learn from past experiences through associations and conditioning, but highly stressful or traumatic events can disrupt this process. When the brain is overwhelmed by trauma, memories are stored with their intense emotions and sensations rather than being integrated as life lessons. This can lead to symptoms like anxiety, flashbacks, dissociation, or difficulty trusting others, often stemming from unprocessed past experiences.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) helps the brain heal by mimicking natural processing mechanisms called bilateral stimulation, such as those in REM sleep. Through guided back-and-forth eye movements, clients mindfully engage with distressing memories, allowing the brain to integrate and process them in a healthier way. In addition to eye movements, other forms of bilateral stimulation can be used, such as hand-held alternating “tactile pulsars,” headphones delivering alternating tones, or self-tapping on the knees with a therapist’s guidance. The result is new learning, lowered distress, and a reduction of symptoms associated with those memories. By cultivating a safe and supportive space for processing, EMDR allows the brain to do its own healing in a profound way. This evidence-based therapy, developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1987, is highly effective for PTSD and other conditions, often leading to faster healing than traditional talk therapy.