Learn About EMDR Therapy
If you are considering EMDR therapy for yourself or someone you care about, reliable information can help you understand the therapy, what to expect, and how to find a therapist.
The EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) offers public resources about Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Begin exploring below.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR is an extensively researched, proven therapy designed to help people recover from trauma, PTSD and more. It uses guided "bilateral stimulation"—such as side-to-side eye movements—to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories so they feel less intense.
How is it different?
EMDR therapy helps the brain process traumatic memories and resume its natural healing process. It typically requires less detailed discussion, no homework and may take fewer sessions than other psychotherapies.
What Should I Expect?
EMDR therapy uses an eight-phase approach that includes learning about your history, preparing for memory processing, working with selected memories, and evaluating your progress.
Who Can Benefit From EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy helps children and adults of all ages. Therapists use EMDR therapy to address a wide range of challenges:
- Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias
- Chronic Illness and medical issues
- Depression and bipolar disorders
- Dissociative disorders
- Eating disorders
- Grief and loss
- Pain
- Performance anxiety
- Personality disorders
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other trauma and stress-related issues
- Sexual assault
- Sleep disturbance
- Substance abuse and addiction
- Violence and abuse
...and more
EMDR Patients Share Their Stories
Hear directly from clients as they share their experiences with EMDR therapy and describe how it supported their healing from trauma and distressing life experiences.
How Does EMDR Therapy Work?
EMDR therapists as they explain how EMDR therapy works, what clients may experience during treatment, and how it can support healing from trauma and other distressing life experiences.
“The goal of EMDR Treatment is to rapidly metabolize the dysfunctional residue from the past and transform it into something useful.”
Francine Shapiro
Founder of EMDR Therapy
Find an EMDR Therapist
EMDRIA’s Find an EMDR Therapist® directory can help you locate EMDRIA members who provide EMDR therapy. Search by location and use the available filters to identify therapists who meet your needs.