How does it work?

Under normal circumstances the brain processes every thought, feeling, experience in such a way that it is held in memory in a non-traumatic way. However when the brain does not do that and one moment becomes “frozen in time” and remembering the trauma may feel as bad as the actual event. Such memories have a lasting negative effect on the way that the brain functions. But following a successful EMDR session, the images, sounds, and feelings connected to this memory are not as upsetting or disturbing as before. It is not that the memory is forgotten, but rather it is believed to be held as ordinary memories. EMDR appears to be similar to what occurs naturally during dreaming or REM (Rapid eye movement sleep when material from the unconscious may be processed. We think that bilateral eye movements cause connections across the brain that enable the brain to finish processing upsetting material. Currently many forms of bilateral stimulation are used in addition to eye movements, such as hand taps, bilateral music, or finger snaps.