Why EMDR? The Evidence Speaks for Itself

Trauma can rewire the brain, keeping distressing memories stored in a way that makes them feel immediate and overwhelming—long after the actual event has passed. EMDR has been extensively studied and is endorsed by the American Psychological Association, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the World Health Organization as an effective treatment for PTSD.

• A study found that 84-90% of single-event trauma survivors saw significant PTSD symptom reduction in just three EMDR sessions (Shapiro, 2018).

• Another study showed that 77% of combat veterans no longer met PTSD criteria after completing EMDR treatment (Carlson et al., 1998).

Unlike traditional talk therapy, which focuses on verbal processing, EMDR helps the brain reprocess trauma so it no longer holds the same emotional charge—allowing clients to regain a sense of control over their thoughts and reactions.

“When fragments of past trauma play out inside us, these fragments leave behind clues in the form of emotionally charged words and sentences that often lead us back to unresolved traumas” (Wolynn, 2016).  Patterns that, although developmentally adaptive for survival, often create problems in the present. 

A traumatic experience can be processed and stored in the brain in different places. If the event is stored in the pre-frontal cortex, the area responsible for rational adult thinking, the experience is unlikely to cause persistent trauma or injury. Problems occur when the traumatic experience is process and stored in the amygdala, the survival part of the brain responsible for fight-flight-freeze responses. When that happens, a seemingly mundane event like a firecracker on the 4th of July can trigger an overreactive response that is rooted in a past traumatic event, such as a landmine detonating. Or, you might experience a significant anxiety response in your body when anticipating a situation at work or argument with someone.