What is emdr?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a powerful, evidence-based therapy that helps people heal from trauma and distressing life experiences. Whether you're struggling with memories of childhood abuse, a recent loss, or chronic anxiety, EMDR offers a way to process and release what’s stuck — without having to relive it in detail.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR works directly with the brain’s natural healing processes. During a session, you’ll be guided through brief sets of eye movements (or other forms of bilateral stimulation) while focusing on a painful memory or emotion. This helps the brain "digest" the experience, so it no longer feels overwhelming or stuck in the present.
EMDR is backed by decades of research and is recognized by organizations like the American Psychiatric Association and the World Health Organization. It’s widely used to treat PTSD, anxiety, depression, phobias, and more.
At Philadelphia EMDR, we use EMDR to help clients reconnect with their inner strength, regain a sense of safety, and build a more grounded, peaceful life.
EMDR can also benefit people with a wide range of issues, including:
LOW SELF ESTEEM
GRIEF AND LOSS
ISOLATION AND LONELINESS
SEXUAL AND GENDER IDENTITY
UNRESOLVED CHILDHOOD TRAUMA
PEOPLE PLEASING
ABUSE
CODEPENDENCY
IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME
CHRONIC PAIN
BREAKUPS
IMPROVING SELF ADVOCACY
ADDICTION
DEPRESSION
Anxiety
FLASHBACKS
NIGHTMARES
LEAVING CULTS
FAMILY REJECTION
FATIGUE
INSOMNIA
MOLESTATION
RAPE
SCHOOL
SHOOTINGS
ACCIDENTS
TERRORISM
NATURAL
DISASTERS
VIOLENT CRIMES
WAR VETERANS
OTHER DISTRESSING LIFE EVENTS
According to the EMDR International Association,
“EMDR therapy has even been superior to Prozac in trauma treatment (Van der Kolk et al., 2007). Shapiro and Forrest (2016) share that more than
7 million people have been treated successfully by 110,000 therapists in 130 countries since 2016.”
EMDR is internationally recognized and endorsed for its effectiveness for treating trauma by:
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA)
United States National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
The American Psychiatric Association
The American Psychological Association
The World Health Organization (WHO)
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
The U.S. Department of Defense
The Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews