What is EMDR Therapy in Toronto?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an empirically supported treatment originally used to treat trauma, but now used to treat a wide array of psychopathologies such as Anxiety and Depression.  It was discovered by Francine Shapiro in 1987. Central to EMDR, is the belief that most psychopathologies (Depression, Anxiety, etc.) have their roots in disturbing early life experiences.  In order to alleviate distressing symptoms in the present, a person must heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences in the past.

Past emotional wounds not adaptively processed can cause present day symptoms such as: numbing, depression, feeling overwhelmed, anxiety, feeling out of body.  EMDR therapy is a way of “removing emotional blocks” so that the brain can continue its natural adaptive process of healing. If you think you have trauma or are unsure seeing a therapist who is trained in EMDR and is trauma-informed is a first step to healing from your previous disturbing life experience.