A moment or experience can become “stuck” or “frozen in time” so every time that memory is triggered, it feels as though the trauma is happening again.  These memories have a lasting negative effect that interferes with an individual’s world view, interpersonal relationships and daily functioning. 

EMDR directly affects how the brain processes information, restoring normal processing functions.  While this is the goal of many types of trauma-processing therapies, EMDR is believed to be a conscious and intentional use of a natural process that occurs during dreaming or REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, when the brain is doing its daily work of processing problem solving and mental rehearsal.  In this way, EMDR can be thought of as a therapy based in physiology and neurobiology that allows an individual to recall disturbing material in a less distressing way.