What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a specialised therapy that helps people process and heal from distressing experiences, particularly trauma. It’s different from traditional talk therapy because it uses eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation (like tapping or sounds) to help the brain reprocess painful memories. 

When we experience something traumatic, our brains can struggle to process it fully, leaving us with painful memories that feel “stuck.” These unprocessed memories can cause distressing emotions, negative thoughts, and even physical reactions when something reminds us of the event. The past can intrude on the present in ways that can feel uncontrollable.

EMDR helps by guiding you through a structured process where you briefly recall distressing memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation (such as following a therapist’s fingers with your eyes). This allows your brain to reprocess the memory so it no longer feels as overwhelming or upsetting. Over time, the memory loses its emotional intensity, and you can think about the memory without feeling distressed. This desensitisation of the disturbing memory and the synthesis with adaptive information opens up the opportunity for positive change. 

EMDR is one of the most researched psychotherapeutic approaches for PTSD. Since 1989 over 20 controlled clinical studies have found EMDR to effectively decrease or eliminate the symptoms of PTSD for the majority of clients and it is very efficient.

The Australian Psychological Society (APS) has recently noted EMDR as a Level 1 treatment for PTSD in their recent published results for ‘Evidence-Based Psychological Interventions: A Literature Review’ (2010) for both young people and adults. This is the highest rating that can be applied to a specific therapeutic approach. 

Additional research has focused on use of EMDR for Depression and Anxiety and numerous other issues with extremely good results. However, as with any therapy model, there are no guarantees about outcomes and each case is individual.

Scientific research has established EMDR as effective for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Clinicians have also successfully used EMDR as a treatment component in the management of:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Personality disorders
• Complicated grief
• Dissociative disorders
• Pain disorders
• Body dysmorphic disorders
• Eating disorders
• Sexual or Physical abuse
• Performance anxiety
• Stress reduction
• Disturbing memories
• Phobias

Almost any disturbance can be treated using EMDR using various protocols.