EMDR Therapy = Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy. It is a specialized, evidence-based type of psychotherapy that often includes less talk than traditional approaches. It uses a tool called Bilateral Stimulation (BLS), which may use eye movements, sound, or vibrating tactile pads, to activate alternating sides of the brain. For example, if you look to the left, the right side of the brain is activated. If you look to the right, the left side is activated. If you look back and forth, that is Bilateral Stimulation. This back and forth action produces a calming effect which allows people to stay present and alert while working through very distressing material.

EMDR Therapy was originally developed for use with people who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and it is endorsed by the US Veteran’s Administration as an effective treatment for PTSD. However, it is also now recognized as an effective treatment for many other issues, including panic attacks, phobias, depression, eating disorders, and just plain feeling stuck.

See What is EMDR Therapy? at the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) site for more information and helpful videos.

The Flash Technique was developed in the past few years to reduce reactivity as part of preparation for EMDR Therapy. Beverly frequently integrates Flash or uses it to resolve single incident trauma.