Most people will experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. For some, the emotional reactions to that trauma—such as intense distress, physical tension, flashbacks, or intrusive thoughts—can make the idea of seeking help feel overwhelming. Traditional talk therapy can be helpful, but for some, directly retelling the story of what happened can be too activating.

The general perception of therapy is often limited. Each approach is unique and involves some distinct techniques. Of them, perhaps eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is the most distinctive.