Over the past two decades, the mental health field has moved away from a sole reliance on talk therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), for the treatment of trauma. Instead, we are now more focused more on somatic approaches which address the trauma which remains in the body and in the brain, and uses the body to process trauma in a more direct, efficient manner.  

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, an evidence-based intervention developed in the 1980s specifically to address trauma. The process of using eye movements or other methods of bi-lateral stimulation works to help the brain reprocess disturbing memories to improve clients’ level of suffering following traumatic events.

 Repeated studies show that by using EMDR therapy, people can experience the benefits of psychotherapy in a much shorter time. Studies also show that the mind is able to heal from psychological trauma much as the body recovers from physical trauma. EMDR therapy is recognized as the preferred method of treatment for trauma and other disturbing experiences.