EMDR is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and it is a therapy that aims to rewire traumatic memories helping you to discover the peace that you long for. Memories are likely stored in the brain during left-right eye movements that occur while we sleep, and EMDR appears to mimic this process in order to heal the effects of negative memories, whether we are conscious of those memories or not. Developed by Francine Shapiro in 1988, EMDR is a method of psychotherapy in which the patient is instructed to recollect upsetting images, after which the therapist asks the patient to perform one of several types of bilateral stimulation, such as side-to-side eye movement or hand tapping.
The goal of EMDR is to facilitate recovery and to engage and soothe the nervous system while strengthening the memory or resource being activated. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation through a variety of modalities to activate both hemispheres of the brain, such as:
Eye movements - This method involves moving your eyes left to right, side to side, in a specific way while you process traumatic memories;
Auditory bilateral stimulation – This method could involve listening to tones that alternate between the left and right sides of the head;
Vibrating paddles, or EMDR tappers (aka pulsators or buzzers) – This method involves devices to support tactile bilateral stimulation. These paddles were invented to help EMDR therapists to apply bilateral stimulation creatively;
Tapping – This method involves tapping knees or across your shoulders (ie, The Butterfly Hug);
This alternating left-right stimulation of the brain unblocks the brain's processing to re-organize and restore memories in a way that promotes healing and adaptation. Since its development, EMDR has helped people worldwide in overcoming the effects of psychological trauma, alongside treating conditions such as anxiety, depression, and OCD.
AnneLaura will be offering these sessions in 2026 after she completes the Psychiatry post-graduate training, board certification, and state licensure.