EMDR
What is EMDR?​
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a clinically proven approach designed to help process traumatic memories and alleviate the emotional pain associated with them. Developed by Francine Shapiro in 1987, EMDR helps you heal by tapping into the natural processes your brain uses during sleep, particularly during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep.
Traumatic memories often stay 'stuck' in the brain and can continue to trigger emotional responses, even if the original event is no longer in your conscious memory. EMDR uses controlled eye movements (or other forms of bilateral stimulation) to help your brain process these memories in a more natural way, reducing their emotional intensity and transforming them into neutral memories.
What to Expect in an EMDR Session
During an EMDR session, we will focus on a specific memory that feels distressing or unresolved. You’ll be asked to recall the memory while following my finger with your eyes (or using other forms of bilateral stimulation). Over several short sets of eye movements, you may notice changes in your thoughts, feelings, or physical sensations. As the memory is processed, it tends to lose its emotional charge, helping you move forward with greater ease. To facilitate the process, we may sit a little closer than we might in a traditional talking-therapy session, to optimise your eye movements.
Though the bilateral stimulation (usually eye movements) is the most well-known part of EMDR, it is just one part of the therapeutic protocol. EMDR is considered a body-based therapy, as it focuses not only on the mind but also incorporates bodily sensations and awareness during the reprocessing of traumatic memories. Throughout the process, you will be encouraged to notice the sensations that arise in your body as memories and emotions are processed, allowing for a deeper, more integrated healing experience.
Who Can Benefit from EMDR?
EMDR can be helpful for anyone dealing with trauma, but it can also address anxiety, depression, phobias, grief, and more. It’s a powerful way to release the emotional grip that past events may have on you, allowing you to move forward in a healthier, more connected way.
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Clients often respond well to EMDR because it taps into the brain’s natural healing processes, allowing trauma to be processed in a safe and structured way. One key benefit is that while EMDR requires accessing distressing memories, these memories don’t necessarily need to be verbalised in detail to the therapist. This can make the process feel more manageable for clients who find it difficult to talk about their trauma. The focus is on the memory itself and the emotions or sensations it brings up, rather than the narrative or story surrounding it. However, it’s important to note that clients will still need to be able to access and experience their emotions during the session, though they won’t have to put those emotions into words. This is a central aim of EMDR: to allow the client to process and release emotional charge from traumatic memories, all within the safe, supportive environment of therapy. The combination of bilateral stimulation and body awareness engages both the mind and body, making EMDR a powerful mind-body approach that accelerates healing and fosters a greater sense of control and empowerment.
How Long Does Treatment Take?
EMDR can be brief or part of a longer-term treatment plan. Sessions are often longer than a standard therapy session, and many clients experience significant relief after just one session.
If you’re interested in exploring EMDR as part of your therapy, we’ll discuss whether it’s the right fit for your needs.
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Remote EMDR
EMDR therapy can be offered remotely through the Zoom platform, making it accessible from the comfort of your home. Research consistently supports the efficacy of EMDR conducted online, demonstrating that this virtual format can be just as effective as traditional in-person sessions. For the best results, it’s recommended to use a full-size laptop or desktop screen, as this allows for the most effective eye movement bilateral stimulation. If you’re accessing therapy from a tablet or phone, we can adjust the approach to incorporate directed tapping on the collarbones, which still provides effective bilateral stimulation. We’ll work together to find the best setup for you.
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