No one knows exactly how EMDR works. However, we do know that when a person is very upset, their brain cannot process information as it does ordinarily. One moment becomes “frozen in time” and, remembering a trauma may feel as bad as going through it the first time because the images, sounds, smells, an feelings haven’t changed. Such memories have a lasting effect on the way a person sees the world and relates to other people that interferes with his or her life.

EMDR seems to have a direct effect on the way that the brain functions. Normal information processing is resumed, so following a successful EMDR session, the images, sounds an feelings no longer are relived when the even it’s brought to mind. What happened is still remembered but it is less upsetting. Many types of therapy have similar goals. However, EMDR appears to be similar to what occurs naturally during dreaming or REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Therefore, EMDR can be thought of a physiological based therapy that helps a person see disturbing material in a new and less distressing way.