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

Take the first step today.