EMDR Explained Like You’re 8: Brain Libraries & Magic Cleanups
Ok… So explaining EMDR has always been a tricky thing for me. I always end up word vomiting, saying who knows what, and not even sure if the person understood what I said. So I think using analogies might help.
Also, there is a lot about EMDR that feels magical-but not magic. Butttt.. the research shows without a doubt that it truly works! I have experienced the “magic” myself, and seen it with my clients. So here I go trying to explain it for you:
Imagine your brain is like a big, magical library. 📚🧠✨
wowwww.. look at this marvelous library
Most of the time, the books (your memories) are all neat and tidy and stored on the shelves (in your brain, body, nervous system). You can find the happy ones easy-peasy—like a memorable birthday party, the time you ding dong ditched your neighbors, or eating the most delicious dessert of your life. 🥳🐶🧀
But sometimes, something really big or really scary happens—like you got hurt, someone yelled, or something just felt way too much.
That memory-book doesn’t go on the shelf like the others. Nope. It flies across the room, knocks over a plant, and screams, “I’M TRAUMA! LOOK AT ME!” 😱📕🌪️. Sometimes the way the book is written makes no sense, is illegible
So now your brain-library is a mess. Every time you walk by that book, it jumps out and scares you all over again. Not cool.
That’s where EMDR comes in!
EMDR = Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
But let’s just call it:
“Helping Your Brain Librarian Do Her Job” 👩🏫✨📖
This is what it might look like using “tappers”, that send you alternating vibrations when you hold them. (controlled by the therapist)
Here’s how it works:
You think about the loud, messy book (but you're safe—like, wrapped in a blanket or sitting like a potato on a couch).
Your therapist helps your eyes move side to side—kind of like watching a cat chase a laser pointer. 🐱🔴👀
(Or you tap your hands or feel little buzzers—kinda like your brain’s getting a gentle “wake up!”)Then the magic happens—your brain starts putting that wild book back where it belongs. No more yelling. No more flying plants. Just a calm, quiet book on the right shelf.
You still remember the story, but it doesn’t jump out and scream at you anymore. Your brain librarian is like,
“Ahhh, that’s better.” 😌📚💁♀️
EMDR = Helping your brain library get organized, so you feel calmer, lighter, and way less stressed.
So, it’s not a robot name.
It’s just brain magic. ✨📚👓
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