EMDR Inspired Bilateral Music
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a research-supported psychotherapy that helps the nervous system process distressing memories and emotional triggers through bilateral (left–right) stimulation. Originally developed in the late 1980s, EMDR has become a widely recognized method for facilitating trauma recovery, reducing symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other stress-related responses.
Understanding EMDR and Bilateral Stimulation
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured psychotherapy developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. It is widely used to help people process distressing memories and emotional responses by engaging the brain’s natural adaptive information processing system. A defining feature of EMDR is bilateral stimulation, typically delivered through guided eye movements, alternating sounds, or tactile cues, while attention is gently directed toward internal experiences. This left-right engagement appears to help reduce the emotional intensity associated with difficult memories, allowing them to be integrated with less distress.
From Therapy Room to Music-Led Wellness
While EMDR itself is a clinical therapy delivered by trained practitioners, its underlying principles, particularly bilateral rhythmic engagement, have inspired complementary wellness tools such as bilateral sound and music. Below you should find two 30-minute compositions, sufficiently long to allow the nervous system time to settle into rhythm and flow without interruption. Rather than guiding or directing experience, the music provides a steady alternating soundscape that you can engage with passively or reflectively, depending on your needs.
A Whole-System Approach to Emotional Support
More than music alone, alongside the compositions, we have includes affirmations that support safety and emotional integration, as well as micro-practices that offer gentle ways to listen with awareness, without effort or pressure. These elements work together to support emotional regulation, grounding, and reflective states, aligning with EMDR-informed ideas about safety, resourcing, and integration. Some listeners choose to read an affirmation before beginning the music or once the listening has finished, using it as a quiet anchor for safety and integration rather than something to actively repeat during the music. The intention is not to replace therapy, but to provide a supportive wellness framework that can complement existing practices or stand alone as a calming, self-guided resource.
Evidence, Education, and Ongoing Learning
EMDR is recognized internationally as an effective, evidence-based treatment for trauma-related conditions, with endorsement from organizations such as the World Health Organization and extensive supporting research. For more information I've included links (below) to trusted external resources for those who wish to dive deeper. Remember you can save any of these items for quick reference in your collection area. Just need a quick login. 🙏
Affirmations
The affirmations below are aligned to the theme of this music collection. Use them alongside the music to help focus attention, support your emotional balance, and deepen your overall listening experience.
Affirmation
Intention
Music
Weightless | EMDR | Bilateral Music
Weightless is a deeply relaxing EMDR music piece using gentle bilateral sounds to calm the nervous system, ease mental tension, and support emotional release, creating space for rest, balance, and clarity.
30 mins
Reset | EMDR | Bilateral Music
Reset is a gentle bilateral EDMR soundscape for calm recalibration. Soft, airy choir voices drift side to side with subtle nature sounds, creating emotional safety, grounding, and deep relaxation in the present moment.
30 mins
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Micro wellness practice
A quick 1 minute or less wellness practice for you to try right now. These practices are all related to the music collection, so try them out as you listen to the music above. If the first one doesn't work for you, just try another!
Micro Practice
Prep
Description
Why
Products and services
The items listed below are related to this music collection and have been chosen with care. Some of these products may come directly from the Mishi store, others are external which contain links, and may earn me a small commission if you choose to make a purchase. I only share products I truly believe in, and feel aligned with our passion for wellness. Remember you can favourite any item and come back later to review if you don't have the time now. 🙏
Book
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, Third Edition: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures
Originally developed for treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), this evidence-based approach is now also used to treat adults and children with complex trauma, anxiety disorders, depression, addictive behavior problems, and other clinical problems.
External resources
A carefully curated list of resources, supporting this music collection. Mishi has no partnership or connection with these websites, which are presented here for information only and not as any kind of medical recommendation. Remember, by clicking on any heart icon, you can save to your personal collection to review later. If you do find any links that are broken or if you'd like to share other resources that you think could be suitable to include here, please contact me. Thank you. 🙏
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