Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a treatment that uses natural eye movements, similar to those used at night whilst sleeping namely rapid eye movement, to help relieve symptoms such as depression and types of posttraumatic stress disorders.

Subjects are not conscious whilst therapy is taking place therefore when changes occur, only the therapist knows. EMDR is known for helping people with frozen memories, seeing the present, and seeing the future. Traumatic processes occur when eye movements occur. During REM, two parts of movement occur and it is when both are simultaneous that traumatic processes can happen.

There are many phases of EMDR. The first phase is for the patient to remember a happy and safe place. In the second phase a target snapshot is taken by the patient and the therapist works around this picture to identify all the traumas associated with it. Sometimes just a feeling or sensation may do. In the third phase the therapist then tries to identify the underlying problem and diagnoses it. After this treatment to cure the problem starts. EMDR has also been used to treat both complex traumas and traumas on children.

Positive cognition can be achieved also. The rapid eye movement can be manipulated in such a way as to be able to help the therapist diagnose certain depression problems that the patient may have. Once diagnosed, the therapist can the help the patient overcome this depression aiding the healing process. It takes along time and no overnight miracles will happen.

Controversy exists over the use of EMDR as a form of treatment as there is little or no medical background knowledge to help support the idea that REM can be beneficial to patients. Some patients believe it works and some do not. Ultimately it is the patients’ choice but it should be undertaken with full knowledge and research before. EMDR for this purpose is considered an alternative form of treatment but should not be used in place of tried and tested traditional procedures and treatments.

There will always be both skeptics and supporters of this type of treatment and it should always be practiced legally with the appropriate licensing and governing bodies. Such alternative treatments are getting more and more popular nowadays as people are tired of the traditional ways or have exhausted all their options and are turning to alternative treatment to help them.