Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR, is an evidenced-based therapy with at least 26 randomized control studies evaluating efficacy for the treatment of trauma, and hundreds of other studies evaluating the use of EMDR for other disorders and the mechanisms involved with the modality.

Per the VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Acute Stress Disorder, EMDR therapy was placed in the category of three “trauma-focused psychotherapies with the strongest evidence from clinical trials… tested in numerous clinical trials, in patients with complex presentations and comorbidities, compared to active control conditions, have long-term follow-up, and have been validated by research teams other than the developers.”

EMDR is based on the Adaptive Information Processing theory and is a 3-pronged, 8 phase, structured protocol. The 3-pronged approach insures that the past, present, and future are being considered in the treatment plan.

The 8 phases of EMDR are as follows:

1. History & Treatment Planning

2. Preparation

3. Assessment

4. Desensitization of Negative Event

5. Installation of Positive Cognition

6. Body Scan

7. Closure

8. Reevaluation