Slug: /emdr-2-0-guide
Meta Title: What Is EMDR 2.0? Faster, Smarter Trauma Therapy
Meta Description: Discover the key principles of EMDR 2.0 — a fast, targeted approach to trauma processing that builds on classic EMDR with innovations in memory activation and nervous system engagement.
What Is EMDR 2.0? A Clinician’s Guide to Innovation in Trauma Therapy
EMDR 2.0 isn’t a replacement for traditional EMDR — it’s an evolution.
Developed by Dr. Ad de Jongh and Dr. Suzy Matthijssen, EMDR 2.0 is a faster, more targeted way to help clients process trauma. It’s based on the latest insights into working memory, emotional activation, and therapeutic pacing.
If you’ve ever had a client stall out in standard EMDR, this approach might offer new traction.
What Makes EMDR 2.0 Different?
While classic EMDR follows a structured 8-phase protocol, EMDR 2.0 builds on it with some key shifts:
1. More Activation = More Change
EMDR 2.0 intentionally increases emotional and cognitive loading during reprocessing. Why?
The theory: the more active the distressing memory, the more effective the working memory competition during bilateral stimulation.
Instead of avoiding strong affect, EMDR 2.0 leans into it — in a safe, titrated way.
2. Speed and Intensity
EMDR 2.0 sessions often use fewer sets, but each set is more intense.
Rather than asking clients to “go with that” and wait for shifts, therapists may interrupt more often to:
- Add verbal cues
- Shift imagery
- Increase task complexity (e.g. dual counting, tapping, tracking)
This keeps the working memory taxed and the target memory destabilised — which supports faster reconsolidation.
3. Multitasking and Working Memory Overload
A central feature of EMDR 2.0 is using tasks that stretch the brain:
- Counting backwards
- Following hand movements while spelling words
- Naming animals or colours while tracking
These tasks overload the working memory, reducing the vividness and emotional charge of traumatic memories more efficiently.
4. Shorter Treatment Timelines
Because of the increased intensity and memory loading, EMDR 2.0 often results in quicker resolution — sometimes in just a few sessions.
This doesn’t mean it’s better for every client. But for many, especially those stuck in standard protocols, it can offer a breakthrough.
When to Use EMDR 2.0
Ideal for clients who:
- Have a single-incident trauma
- Get cognitively “stuck” in classic EMDR
- Are highly motivated and ready for emotional activation
- Need faster outcomes due to practical limitations
As always, clinical judgment and preparation are key.
Is It Still EMDR?
Yes — EMDR 2.0 still follows the basic framework of the 8 phases. But it takes a more active, experimental stance in the desensitisation phase.
Think of it as EMDR with the volume turned up — while still grounded in safety and regulation.
Final Thought
EMDR 2.0 isn’t a magic fix. But for clinicians who are confident with the standard protocol, it’s an exciting addition to the trauma therapy toolkit.
By using creative, targeted methods to overload the working memory, we can help the brain do what it was always meant to do: update, adapt, and move forward.
