EMDR is a treatment for traumatic memories which stands for "eye movement desensitization and reprocessing". To explain, the client is asked to focus on the worst part of the disturbing memory, while moving the eyes back and forth by following the therapist's finger. It's actually a lot more complex than that, which is why only therapists trained in EMDR should use this approach.

You might ask why, but to explain EMDR it is helpful to explain what behaviors would bring you to therapy after a trauma or loss. Although some people are able to work through a trauma or loss and come out stronger, others seem to get stuck and display typical symptoms of nightmares, temper outbursts, acting out, depression, anxiety, and other problems. A therapist can help you to get unstuck, and work through the memory piece by piece, until the problems have resolved. Unfortunately, this process can take many months, and while most people get at least somewhat better, some of the problems can stubbornly hang on.

With EMDR, the process seems to go much more quickly. The EMDR session itself is different for each person, but can be emotionally intense. Often an upsetting memory can be worked through in one to three sessions.

Examples of trauma experiences include car accident, childhood abuse, assault, injury or illness, fire, work accident, robbery, rape, natural disaster, witness to violence, injury of a loved one, loss of a loved one. Behavioral symptoms include, stress, depression, anxiety or panic, shame or guilt, brooding or worrying, trouble sleeping, not caring anymore, fears, nightmares, bad temper, poor self image, relationship problems, and in children acting out.

It looks like EMDR is a major advance in the mental health field. Now people who have trouble coping with trauma and loss experiences have a treatment option which can offer hope for relatively quick and lasting relief.