Psychological trauma is a person’s experience of emotional distress resulting from an event that overwhelms their capacity to digest it. Almost everyone who experiences trauma will be emotionally affected, however not everyone will respond in the same way. Whilst most people will recover within a week or two with support of friends and family, for others the effects can be long lasting and seeking professional support is important.

EMDR is a powerful, evidence-based therapy that helps people process and resolve distressing experiences. Trauma is not limited to major life-threatening events (“Big T” traumas such as accidents, assaults, or medical crises); it also includes the cumulative impact of more subtle but emotionally significant experiences (“small t” traumas), such as ongoing criticism, relational ruptures, feeling unseen, or periods of overwhelm. Both types of experiences can shape how we see ourselves, others, and the world.

EMDR assists by activating the brain’s natural information processing system to unblock traumatic experiences so that healing can resume. EMDR helps the brain reprocess these memories so they become less emotionally charged and no longer drive present-day distress, allowing greater flexibility, resilience, and self-understanding.

For more information please see https://emdraa.org/emdr-faq/.