What is EMDR?

EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a well researched intervention for trauma. Trauma is sometimes discussed as an experience that is "too much, too fast, too soon." While our brains are equipped to process the things we go through, trauma may need extra support to be processed effectively.

EMDR uses dual attention stimulation (DAS), or having the brain focus both on the past and present at once, and bilateral stimulation (BLS), which could be rapid eye movements or tapping the arms, shoulders, knees, or toes, to help desensitize the strong emotions that remain in the body from trauma.

EMDR for neurodivergent people

EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a well researched intervention for trauma. Trauma is not always one big event such as an assault or natural disaster, sometimes it is a negative self-belief that has been instilled over many smaller interactions. Many, if not all, neurodiverse people have experienced some form of trauma just through living in a world that is not designed with them in mind.

Some examples may be:

• Consistent worry/belief that you are doing something wrong due to a recognition you don't always understand social cues

• Feeling like you're not good enough because you don't fit in

• Feeling like you have to mask in order to be seen as "normal"