EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. EMDR is a relatively short-term, safe and effective therapy developed by Francine Shapiro, PhD that helps mind and body resolve the distressing psychological and physical problems that experiences of trauma leave behind. EMDR involves an eight-step treatment process that integrates elements of other therapies that are well established. Through a series of targeted questions combined with different types of alternating neurological stimulation (typically involving the eyes, the ears or touch), EMDR brings new hope to traumatized individuals with a treatment approach that often progresses very rapidly and produces lasting benefits.

Post-traumatic reactions involve:

• intrusive thoughts
• alterations in our memory functions (e.g., not being able to remember certain things while other things can't seem to be forgotten)
• intense emotional swings
• difficulties concentrating or focusing
• generalized feelings of emotional distress and instability
• vivid re-experiencing of events from the past
• a host of symptoms involving the physical body

EMDR helps the mind and body re-integrate information in a different way and lay to rest repeated negative thoughts, images, feelings and physical sensations associated with the trauma.

EMDR helps the brain to store the new adaptive response patterns, allowing the person to finally have a sense of relief and to feel that the trauma is "done".

For more information on EMDR, please go to their web site www.emdr.com.