What Is EMDR Therapy And How Can It Help?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. EMDR was developed by Francine Shapiro in 1987. It was first used as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and since then it has also been used to support people with a range of other mental health difficulties.
Usually, the brain processes everyday experiences without much effort. However, when someone goes through a frightening or overwhelming event, the brain can struggle to process it properly. The memory may then stay linked to strong feelings, body sensations, or reactions such as anxiety, panic, anger, or sadness.
This can mean that present-day situations trigger old responses, even when the person is not consciously thinking about the original event. EMDR aims to help the brain reprocess the memory so it becomes less painful and easier to manage.
Before EMDR begins, the therapist carries out an assessment and agrees a treatment plan with the client. This includes deciding which memories to focus on and making sure the person has coping strategies in place if difficult emotions come up.
EMDR is not hypnosis. The person remains awake, aware, and in control throughout the session, and they can ask to pause or stop at any time.
What happens in an EMDR session?
During a session, the client is asked to think about a specific distressing memory while also focusing on another stimulus. This is often side-to-side eye movement, such as following the therapist’s finger, although sounds, tapping, vibration in both hands, or moving lights may also be used.
These sets of eye movements or other stimulation are usually brief. After each set, the person explains what they noticed, such as changes in thoughts, images, feelings, or body sensations.
Over time, the memory may lose some of its emotional intensity. It may still be remembered, but it can feel more like something from the past rather than something that is still happening in the present. EMDR is different from talking therapy as the therapist will not ask questions during the reprocessing stage and will use words like "just notice".
What can EMDR help with?
EMDR is most commonly used for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD. It may also be used to support people with anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, depression, stress, sleep problems, complicated grief, addictions, pain-related difficulties, low self-esteem, or performance anxiety.
Although research supports EMDR for PTSD, it is not suitable for everyone. A person needs to feel ready to work with difficult memories and should only do so with a properly trained therapist.
Treatment length and side effects.
EMDR may be offered as a short, focused treatment or as part of longer-term therapy. Sessions often last between 60 and 90 minutes, and NICE guidance suggests that EMDR is usually offered over around 8 to 12 sessions, although this can vary.
Because EMDR involves revisiting traumatic experiences, it can sometimes feel intense. Some people may feel tired, upset, anxious, or physically tense afterwards. If this continues or feels too difficult, it is important to speak to the therapist so the pace of treatment can be adjusted.
Overall, EMDR is intended to help people process traumatic memories safely, reduce their emotional impact, and feel more able to live in the present.
Some useful research links:
https://emdrtherapy-uk.co.uk/nice-and-who-guidelines-on-emdr/