Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based, trauma-focused psychotherapy developed to help individuals process and resolve distressing memories that remain unintegrated in the nervous system. EMDR is grounded in the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, which posits that psychological symptoms arise when traumatic or overwhelming experiences are inadequately processed and stored in isolated memory networks. During EMDR therapy, clients briefly attend to emotionally charged memories while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation—most commonly eye movements, taps, or auditory tones—which facilitates the brain’s natural capacity to reprocess and integrate these memories in a more adaptive way. As processing occurs, emotional intensity decreases, cognitive insights shift, and the memory becomes linked to more functional beliefs and present-moment safety.

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EMDR was developed in the late 1980s by psychologist Francine Shapiro, PhD, who noticed that spontaneous eye movements appeared to reduce the emotional charge of her own distressing thoughts. Through systematic research and clinical trials, Shapiro refined this observation into a structured, eight-phase treatment protocol that emphasizes safety, stabilization, and careful pacing. EMDR has since been extensively researched and is recognized by organizations such as the World Health Organization, the American Psychological Association, and the Department of Veterans Affairs as an effective treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder and other trauma-related conditions. While originally developed for trauma, EMDR is now widely used to address anxiety, depression, grief, phobias, and other conditions rooted in adverse life experiences.