What is Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy?

What Is Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing?

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a specialist type of psychotherapy developed in the late 1980s by psychologist Dr Francine Shapiro. Initially created to help people overcome post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it is now used for a broader range of issues, including anxiety, phobias, grief, and depression.

The therapy focuses on helping the brain reprocess traumatic memories so they lose their overwhelming emotional charge.

How Does Eye Movement Desensitisation Work?

When we go through a traumatic experience, the brain sometimes struggles to process and "file away" the memory correctly. Instead, the memory may stay "stuck," replaying with the same intensity as when it first happened.

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, usually guided eye movements, taps, or sounds, while the person recalls aspects of the traumatic memory.

This process is thought to:

1. Help the brain reprocess the memory more safely.

2. Reduce the emotional distress linked to the memory.

3. Allow the person to see the event from a calmer, more balanced perspective.

Over time, the memory becomes less distressing, allowing the person to move forward without being "trapped" by it.

What Happens in an EMDR Session?

An EMDR session typically involves:

1. Preparation, your therapist helps you build trust and teaches grounding techniques to manage any distress.

2. Targeting memories, identifying the specific traumatic event or negative belief to work on.

3. Bilateral stimulation – following the therapist's hand movements with your eyes, or sometimes using taps or sounds.

4. While focusing on the memory, your brain starts to reprocess and reduce its emotional intensity.

5. Through closure and reflection, the therapist helps you return to a sense of calm and reflects on your progress.

Sessions are structured but flexible, tailored to each individual's needs.

What Can Eye Movement Desensitisation Help With?

EMDR is backed by research and recommended by organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for trauma treatment.

It can help with:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Childhood trauma or abuse

• Anxiety and panic disorders

• Phobias

• Grief and complicated bereavement

• Depression linked to traumatic experiences

Benefits of Eye Movement Desensitisation

• Effective for trauma – many people see improvements faster than with some other therapies.

• Doesn't require detailed discussion – unlike traditional talk therapy, you don't have to describe the trauma in depth.

• Long-lasting results – memories become less distressing, freeing people to live more fully.

• Flexible approach – can be adapted for children, adults, and different types of trauma.

Are There Any Risks?

EMDR is generally safe, but it can be emotionally intense. Processing traumatic memories may temporarily increase distress or vivid dreams as your brain works through the experience.

That's why it's essential to work with a trained, accredited EMDR therapist who can guide you safely through the process.

Final Thoughts

EMDR is a powerful therapy that helps the brain heal from trauma by reducing the emotional weight of painful memories. Instead of erasing the past, EMDR changes the way those memories are stored, making them less overwhelming and easier to live with. The best description I can come up with is 'It puts the memories in a box, it's there, but in a box, with a lid on it! '

For people living with trauma, EMDR can offer hope, relief, and the freedom to reclaim their lives.