If you’ve heard about EMDR therapy but aren’t quite sure what it actually involves — you’re not alone. EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It’s a structured, evidence-based therapy that helps people reprocess traumatic memories so they no longer feel overwhelming, intrusive, or stuck in the present.
Originally developed in the late 1980s by Francine Shapiro, EMDR has since been backed by over 30 years of clinical research and is used worldwide, particularly for treating PTSD and complex trauma.
So, what actually happens in an EMDR session?
EMDR involves recalling a disturbing memory while receiving bilateral stimulation — usually through guided eye movements, taps, or tones. This is done in a safe, resourced environment and only after your therapist has helped you feel grounded and ready. The bilateral stimulation helps the brain shift the memory from a “stuck” state in the nervous system, allowing it to be reprocessed and stored more adaptively.
Clients often say, “It feels like the memory is still there, but it no longer takes over.” That’s the goal.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR doesn’t require you to talk through every detail of your trauma. You stay in control. You can choose what to share, and your therapist is there to guide and support you every step of the way.
Here’s what a typical process might look like:
- Phase 1: History-taking and treatment planning
- Phase 2: Preparing you with stabilisation strategies
- Phases 3–6: Reprocessing targeted memories using bilateral stimulation
- Phases 7–8: Closing the session and checking progress
Some clients feel a shift after a few sessions; for others, it’s more gradual. Every nervous system is different, and that’s okay.
If you’ve tried talk therapy but still feel stuck, EMDR might be worth exploring. It’s not magic — it’s neuroscience, carefully applied in a supportive therapeutic relationship.
