EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a powerful, evidence-based therapy designed to help people heal from trauma and emotional distress. It works by stimulating both sides of the brain (usually through eye movements, tapping, or sounds) while you recall a distressing or traumatic memory. This allows your brain to clear the 'blockage in the river', helping memories flow to the past where it belongs.
remember,
reprocess,
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Think of your mind as a river. Under ideal conditions, experiences flow downstream, where they’re processed, integrated, and remembered without causing distress. But trauma can act like a fallen tree blocking the river, causing a buildup of unprocessed memories, leading to symptoms and emotional overwhelm.
RESCRIPT,
retell
Trauma isn’t what happened to you – it’s how your mind and body respond. When you experience a distressing or overwhelming event, your nervous system may become flooded. In ideal circumstances, your brain processes and stores the event as just another memory. But sometimes, the memory of that event gets stuck – frozen in time. This stuck memory, along with the thoughts, emotions, and body sensations attached to it, can show up in unhelpful ways: anxiety, nightmares, low mood, anger, or difficulty trusting others.
How EMDR Works
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Our brains have a natural ability to heal from emotional wounds, much like our bodies do with physical injuries.
Imagine breaking a bone. If it's treated quickly and correctly, it heals and eventually it may be hard to tell it was ever broken. But if the bone is not treated properly, healing may be dysfunctional and accompanied by pain and difficulty doing everyday life.
Emotional injuries are much the same. When an overwhelming emotional experience isn't attended to with care and understanding it can stay stuck in your nervous system, causing distress and emotional pain. Just like a broken bone needs the right support to heal, our nervous system sometimes needs help too.
EMDR helps creates the conditions for your mind and body to do the healing it was always capable of, but couldn’t manage without help. It doesn’t erase what happened, but it gives you the structure and support it needed to process the painful memories properly.
EMDR can help adults and children with
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder * Childhood Trauma * Personality Disorders * Birth Trauma * Anxiety * Low Self Esteem * Social Anxiety * Performance Anxiety * Panic Disorder * Phobias * Depression * Grief and Loss * Addiction * Chronic Pain
The EMDR Treatment Process
1. History Taking – Understanding your story, symptoms, and goals for therapy
2. Preparation – Resourcing you and learning what to expect
3. Assessment – Identifying the target memories and associated thoughts and feelings
4. Desensitisation – Using bilateral stimulation to reduce emotional intensity
5. Installation – Strengthening a positive belief to replace the old, unhelpful one
6. Body Scan – Checking for any lingering tension or sensations
7. Closure – Returning to a grounded state at the end of each session
8. Re-evaluation – Reviewing progress and addressing any new targets
What you can expect after
Whilst EMDR is not a panacea for all difficult emotions, effective treatment can offer relief from emotional symptoms. During EMDR treatment some people experience an initial increase in emotional symptoms, while others experience immediate relief. You might notice dreams, insights, or emotional shifts in between sessions – this is all part of your brain continuing to process. After EMDR treatment is completed, it’s normal to feel lighter, relieved and calm. Many people say the memories that once felt overwhelming now seem distant or less intense. They're still there, but they don’t carry the same emotional weight. Like looking at an old photo—something that happened, but no longer triggers the same painful response. Some people feel tired or emotional for a day or two, especially after a powerful session.
Watch this video for a more detailed look at how EMDR works
FAQs
Is EMDR safe?
Yes, when conducted by a trained professional, EMDR is considered very safe.
Do I have to talk in detail about my trauma?
No, EMDR focuses more on how the trauma is stored in the body and brain, rather than reliving it in detail.
How long does EMDR take?
It varies. Some people see results in a few sessions; others may need longer, depending on the complexity of their trauma.
Is EMDR like hypnosis?
No. You stay fully awake and in control throughout the session.
Can EMDR be done online?
Yes, many clinicians now offer effective EMDR therapy via secure telehealth platforms.
Is EMDR evidence-based?
Absolutely. It it considered a first line treatment for PTSD and there is growing evidence for its efficacy in treating symptoms of many other mental health conditions.