Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is a psychotherapy approach designed to help people process and heal from traumatic or distressing experiences. It uses bilateral stimulation—often guided eye movements—to activate the brain’s natural healing processes, helping reduce the emotional intensity of difficult memories.

EMDR was developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1987. She noticed that her own distressing thoughts lost their emotional charge when her eyes moved back and forth—possibly while watching leaves or grass move in the wind. This accidental observation led to years of research, including her first controlled study published in 1989, which demonstrated EMDR’s effectiveness in treating trauma. Since then, EMDR has become widely used and is recognized by organizations such as the American Psychological Association (APA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) as an effective treatment for PTSD and other trauma-related disorders.
 

Source:

Shapiro, F. (1989). Efficacy of the eye movement desensitization procedure in the treatment of traumatic memories. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 2(2), 199–223. doi:10.1002/jts.2490020207

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Spiritual Bypassing 

 

“Spiritual bypassing is the avoidance of uncomfortable feelings, unresolved wounds, and developmental needs with spiritual beliefs or practices.” Mathieu also emphasizes that it often looks like detachment, excessive positivity, or rejection of the body and personal history.

Source:
Ingrid Mathieu, PhD, Recovering Spirituality: Achieving Emotional Sobriety in Your Spiritual Practice (2011)

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