Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a therapeutic approach designed to help individuals process and alleviate distress from traumatic experiences. Initially developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR has gained recognition and validation from mental health professionals worldwide. EMDR is supported by extensive research and recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO) – see article here. It is particularly effective in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but its applications extend to anxiety, depression and other mental health challenges.
The theory behind EMDR posits that traumatic experiences can become "stuck" in the brain's memory networks, leading to unresolved emotional and physical symptoms. EMDR aims to mobilise and unlock these memories and allow the brain to process them fully, reducing their emotional charge and promoting resolution. EMDR’s appeal lies in its ability to address the root cause of psychological distress rather than symptom management by targeting the unresolved memories and beliefs. Clients often report feeling lighter, more empowered and less distress by their past experience.
EMDR is a structured, eight-phase approach. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR does not rely solely on verbalising past events. Instead, it incorporates bilateral stimulation—often in the form of guided eye movements—to help individuals reprocess traumatic memories and integrate them into a more adaptive and less distressing narrative. Each phase plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety, readiness and effectiveness of the overall experience. The length of each phase varies for each client.
Phase 1. History Taking and Treatment Planning
The first phase involves gathering a comprehensive history of the client’s experiences, symptoms and current challenges. The therapist identifies target memories that will be addressed during EMDR sessions. These targets often include past traumatic events, current triggers and future scenarios that evoke anxiety or distress.
Phase 2. Preparation
In this phase, the therapist builds rapport with the client, explains the EMDR process and sets expectations. The therapist also teaches the client grounding techniques and coping strategies to manage any distress that may arise during or between sessions. These skills ensure the client feels safe and empowered throughout the process.
Phase 3. Assessment
During the assessment phase, the therapist and client identify specific aspects of the target memory to focus on. This includes:
Targeted image: A vivid mental picture representing the worst part of the distressing memory.
Negative cognition: A core-belief associated with the memory (e.g., "I am powerless").
Positive cognition: A preferred, adaptive belief (e.g., "I am in control now").
Emotions and body sensations: The feelings and physical responses linked to the memory.
Phase 4. Desensitisation
The core of EMDR therapy occurs in the desensitisation phase. The client focuses on the target memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as following the therapist’s finger movements with their eyes. Other forms of stimulation, like tapping or auditory tones, may also be used. This process helps the brain reprocess the memory, reducing its emotional intensity. At AURE: Psychology, Counselling and Therapy, we utilised a mix of finger movement, Thera-tappers and auditory tones.
Phase 5. Installation
Once the distress associated with the memory decreases, the therapist guides the client to strengthen the positive cognition identified earlier. The goal is to solidify a more adaptive and empowering belief, replacing the negative self-perception tied to the trauma.
Phase 6. Body Scan
In this phase, the therapist checks for any residual physical tension or discomfort associated with the target memory. The body scan helps ensure that the client has fully processed the memory on both an emotional and somatic level.
Phase 7. Closure
At the end of each session, the therapist helps the client return to a state of equilibrium. Grounding exercises, relaxation techniques and other tools are used to ensure the client feels stable and safe before leaving the session.
Phase 8. Re-evaluation
The final phase involves reviewing the client’s progress and determining whether additional targets need to be addressed. This phase ensures that the gains made during therapy are maintained and integrated into the client’s daily life.
Myths and Misconceptions About EMDR
Despite its scientific evidence-based background, several myths about EMDR persist. Some common myths are:
Myth 1: EMDR is hypnosis
While EMDR may appear similar to hypnosis because of the eye movements and focus on past events, it is fundamentally different. EMDR does not induce a trance-like state. Clients remain fully alert and in control during sessions, actively engaging in the therapeutic process.
Myth 2: EMDR is only works for PTSD
While EMDR is best known for treating PTSD, research shows its efficacy extends to a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, phobias, chronic pain and even performance enhancement. It can benefit anyone seeking to process distressing experiences.
Myth 3: EMDR erases memories
EMDR does not erase or suppress memories. Instead, it helps individuals reprocess and integrate them in a way that reduces their emotional charge and impact. Clients retain their memories but gain a new perspective that allows them to move forward without the vividness of the distress.
Myth 4: EMDR works like magic
Although EMDR can produce rapid results, it is not a magical or instantaneous cure. Its effectiveness lies in its structured approach and the client’s active participation. Like any therapy, the pace and outcomes depend on the individual’s readiness, commitment and the complexity of their experiences.
Limitations
Not surprisingly, revisiting traumatic memories can be emotionally overwhelming for some clients, even with the therapist’s support. While EMDR includes grounding techniques to manage distress, some individuals may find the process too challenging. This can be discussed and developed over the course of therapy with the client possibly needing to firstly develop richer internal emotional resources before progressing towards Phase 4. Although some individuals experience rapid progress, EMDR therapy may require multiple sessions to address complex or deeply rooted trauma. This can be a significant time and financial commitment for some clients. EMDR may also not be appropriate for individuals with severe dissociation, psychosis or on-going substance misuse.
Conclusion
EMDR is a unique structured form of psychotherapy. It guides the individual to briefly concentrate on the traumatic memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation, which is linked to a reduction in the vividness and emotional intensity of those memories. It blends traditional understanding of psychotherapy on core beliefs, emotions, thoughts and body sensations with our current understanding of brain neuroscience. If you’re considering EMDR, consult us or a trained and certified therapist to explore whether this approach aligns with your therapeutic goals.
Disclaimer: The material on this blog is not to be used by any commercial or personal entity without the expressed written consent of the blog's author. The article above is an opinion of an individual clinician and should not be taken as full clinical advice. The statements on this blog are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any mental health or mental illnesses. Always consult your doctor for medical advice or seek professional therapy.
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