Rapid Eye Movement (REM)
Eye movements occur naturally in the course of a day or at night during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, but when they are utilized to stimulate the processing of traumatic material, unexpected responses may occur. That is why an EMDR therapist is so careful in utilizing eye movements and a clinician needs to be a licensed health care provider (or on a licensure track) to be trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing.
Those individuals who offer eye movements for personal growth but are not trained in EMDR may stimulate responses they are not prepared to handle. They will likely ask you to sign a disclaimer that you should consult a qualified and licensed medical or psychological professional if you are suffering from a medical or psychological condition of any kind. If you have a trauma history, especially if you have had any suicide attempts, you may want to consider carefully the training of anyone offering to "process" your trauma with eye movements.



