Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy treatment designed to decrease the distress level associated with traumatic memories. EMDR utilizes eye movements, tapping devices, manual tapping, or audio-based bilateral stimulation simultaneously while the client attends to emotionally disturbing material in brief consecutive doses. Bilateral stimulation is believed to enhance information processing and assist the client with creating new associations between the traumatic or distressing memories and more adaptive memories or information. According to psychiatrist and trauma expert Bessel Van der Kolk, trauma can become stuck in the body. He believes unprocessed traces of a distressing experience remains in the body and can cause somatic-based symptoms such as pain and discomfort. The use of EMDR can lead to a significant decrease in hyperarousal and distress linked to traumatic events and related triggers and can ultimately help an individual to move forward both mentally and physically.