Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) was established in 1987 by Dr. Francine Shapiro. 

EMDR is a structured therapy that helps reprocess memories to reduce their emotional intensity. EMDR uses bilateral movements including eye movements, sounds, or taps, while the client focuses on a difficult memory. This process allows the brain to heal.

There are 8 structured steps in EMDR:

1. History and Treatment Planning as well as assessing your suitability to start EMDR.

2. Preparation is when you will learns tools to stay safe and grounded during EMDR and between sessions. You also pick which type of bilateral stimulation feels the best.

3. Assessment includes bringing the negative memory, thoughts and feelings forward for reprocessing.

4. Desensitization and Reprocessing is when the clinician applies the bilateral stimulation to the memories that are being targeted.

5. Once you arrive at a neutral or positive thoughts, we continue to use bilateral movements to link new, positive thoughts to the traumatic event or memory. One example would be a Vietnam veteran recalling the beauty of the coastline as he landed for the first time and the positive thought may be "it's over now."

6. Body Scan involves checking in with your body to see if any distress is lingering.

7. Closure is done at the end of every EMDR session and will help you with grounding procedures, either to pause the reprocessing or to close out the reprocessing if the memory moved into neutral or positive.

8. Reevaluation is when we check back in with the memory to see if there are unprocessed memories that need to be re-engaged for continued processing.