EMDR & And What It Can Do For You

EMDR is effective due to its use of bilateral stimulation (BLS). BLS consists of alternating, rhythmic stimulation across both hemispheres of the brain. This can be done through various methods, such as eye movements (following a therapist’s fingers or a light bar), tapping (alternately tapping on the client’s knees or hands), or auditory tones (alternating sounds in each ear). The rationale behind this approach is that the bilateral stimulation helps the brain to reprocess the traumatic memories. Rather than being stuck in a “fight or flight” state, the brain is able to integrate these memories into the larger context of a person’s life, diminishing their emotional impact.