EMDR Therapy

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) was developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1987 and has since become one of the most extensively researched and validated treatments for trauma and PTSD. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR works directly with how traumatic memories are stored in the brain.

When we experience trauma, the memory can become "stuck" in the limbic system—the emotional center of the brain—rather than being properly processed and stored as a regular memory. This is why traumatic memories often feel as vivid and distressing as when they first occurred, even years later.

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements, but also tapping or auditory tones) to activate both hemispheres of the brain, mimicking the natural memory processing that occurs during REM sleep. This allows the brain to finally process and integrate the traumatic memory, reducing its emotional charge and allowing you to recall the event without being overwhelmed by distressing emotions.

At Algarve Wellness Retreats, our certified EMDR therapists provide intensive treatment that accelerates healing. In our residential setting, you can have multiple EMDR sessions per week, making progress in weeks that might take months or years in traditional outpatient therapy.