EMDR Therapy
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an effective treatment for trauma, PTSD, abuse, and other psychological concerns. EMDR therapy aims to process lingering traumatic and distressing memories, alleviating emotional pain and symptoms.
How Does EMDR Work?
EMDR is based on the theory that our brain has a system for processing memories during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. However, some memories can get ‘stuck’ and aren't processed adequately, causing the details of the memory—such as emotions, thoughts, beliefs, and body sensations—to remain vividly present.
EMDR therapy processes these stuck memories using bilateral stimulation (a rhythmic left-right pattern), which mimics REM sleep. This stimulation can include eye movements, body taps, or auditory tones. After completing EMDR therapy sessions, where a traumatic memory is processed to its full resolution, the memory remains but no longer triggers the same emotional distress.
Advantages of EMDR
Can be completed in fewer sessions than other psychotherapies.
A specific memory is generally processed within one to three sessions, but it can take longer.
Does not include extended exposure to the distressing memory
Does not require talking in detail about the distressing event/trauma.
Does not involve direct challenging of dysfunctional beliefs.
No homework between sessions.
What Happens During an EMDR Session
EMDR therapy is a structured treatment that requires preparation work before memory processing begins. This preparation involves identifying target memories and their order, practising bilateral stimulation, and developing coping strategies and grounding techniques.
As you process the memory, you will activate the target memory by playing it in your mind, identifying the associated body sensations and thoughts, while simultaneously attending to bilateral stimulations. Your therapist will move their fingers from left to right, and you will track the movement with your eyes. This will last approximately 30 seconds (or longer), and then your therapist will check in with you about your experiences during the tracking. This process can be repeated multiple times. Your therapist will speak minimally to avoid interfering with your brain's natural processing. Bilateral stimulations can also include tapping and auditory tones.
Who Can Benefit from EMDR
EMDR therapy can be used for children, teens, and adults. Scientific research has established EMDR as effective for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Complex Trauma, Childhood Trauma, and Acute Stress Disorder (ASD).
Therapists have also successfully used EMDR as a treatment component in the management of:
Anxiety, panic attacks, and stress reduction.
Various forms of abuse (sexual, physical, emotional, and verbal).
Personality disorders, complicated grief, and dissociative disorders.
Body dysmorphic disorders, eating disorders, and body image concerns.
Performance anxiety, pain disorders, and phobias.
Disturbing memories.
Symptoms of trauma and PTSD can include:
Flashbacks, nightmares, and upsetting thoughts, feelings, and images.
Hypervigilance, irritability, angry outbursts.
Trouble sleeping, difficulty concentrating.
Depression, anxiety, feeling numb or detached.
Panic, easily startled or frightened.
Avoidance behaviours (people, places, situations), substance misuse.
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