Which therapy involves processing traumatic memories with guided eye movements and is used for PTSD?

• A. Exposure Therapy
• B. Hypnotherapy
• C. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• D. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Answer: (C)

Processing traumatic memories with guided eye movements is EMDR. In this approach, the person briefly recalls the distressing memory while the therapist guides bilateral stimulation—usually moving the eyes side to side, though taps or tones can also be used. This bilateral input is believed to help the brain reprocess the memory, reducing its vividness and emotional intensity so it can be stored more adaptively. Through repeated sessions, distress tied to the memory typically decreases, and the person can recall the event with less intrusion and hyperarousal. EMDR follows an eight-phase process—from initial assessment and preparation to desensitization, installation of positive beliefs, and re-evaluation. It’s distinguished from Exposure Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which do not center on the specific eye-movement desensitization component, and from hypnotherapy, which uses hypnosis.