Eye left to right

Left-to-right, side-to-side eye movements are used in EMDR while a person recalls a traumatic or troubling event, with the aim of reducing the event’s emotional impact. 1

• EMDR pairs recounting traumatic events with side-to-side eye movements. 1
• These movements may suppress amygdala activity—a brain region involved in threat detection, stress, anxiety, and fear. 2
• The aim is to remember the experience without the same stress. The memory isn’t necessarily erased; rather, the emotional load is meant to diminish over time. 3