If you’ve heard of EMDR therapy and wondered what it actually is—or how it works—you’re not alone. EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and it’s a powerful, research-supported approach to helping people heal from trauma, anxiety, and distressing life experiences.

Trauma isn’t just something that happened in the past—it’s something your body may still be holding onto.

When you experience trauma, your nervous system can get “stuck” in survival mode (fight, flight, or freeze). Even when you’re safe, your body may react as if you’re still in danger.