During a traumatic or stressful event, if our brains do not process information as expected, the experience may become locked in our brains and bodies. When a person becomes reminded (e.g., triggered) of the event from various memories, images, sounds, smells, or feelings it is as if they are going through the event for the first time, repeatedly. You may then begin to avoid reminders of the event, develop different negative beliefs about yourself, experience anxiety, depression, relational difficulties, and other interfering symptoms. 

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After you and your EMDR trained clinician determine that this is a good treatment fit you will engage in the 8 phases of treatment. EMDR therapy involves focusing on the past, present, and future. You and your clinician will identify the past events that are connected to current distressing situations and symptoms. You will also identify the beliefs, skills, and responses that you want to have for positive future actions and responses. Eventually, no longer responding to past traumas from a place of pain, negative beliefs, and/or avoidance. Prior to processing, you and your clinician will increase your skills and resources to manage stressors and cope with emotions. 

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 During the processing phase of EMDR therapy, you will focus on the identified target (e.g., emotionally distressing images, thoughts, feelings, body sensations, and beliefs) in short sets while also focusing on an external stimulus at the same time. After each set of BLS you will briefly describe what you experienced. The stimulus may be eye movements, tapping, or tones that move from left to right (e.g., bilateral stimulus or BLS). BLS assists in processing parts of the trauma, essentially “unlocking” them. This process is similar to natural memory consolidation that occurs during REM sleep. Your brain will move itself towards healing and create new positive associations from the past and you will process the memory and related disturbing feelings, body sensations, and beliefs.