What is EMDR and How Can It Help?

One of the questions I get asked most often is: "What exactly is EMDR?" It's a question I'm always happy to answer, because EMDR is a therapy that I find genuinely remarkable in its ability to help people heal from distressing experiences. In this post, I want to share a little about what EMDR involves, how it works, and who it might help.

What Does EMDR Stand For?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. I know that sounds like quite a mouthful, but the core idea behind it is beautifully simple. It's a structured therapy that helps your brain process traumatic or distressing memories in a way that reduces their emotional charge, so they no longer hold the same power over you.

EMDR was developed in the late 1980s by Dr Francine Shapiro, and since then it has been extensively researched. It is now recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and it is used widely across the NHS and private practice.

How Does EMDR Work?

When we experience something traumatic, our brain can struggle to process the memory properly. Instead of being filed away like other memories, the traumatic memory gets "stuck." It can feel as vivid and distressing as if it were happening right now, even years later. You might notice this as flashbacks, nightmares, or being easily triggered by things that remind you of the event.

EMDR uses something called bilateral stimulation, which most commonly involves guided eye movements. While you bring a distressing memory to mind, I guide your eyes from side to side. This bilateral stimulation appears to help your brain's natural processing system "unstick" the memory, allowing it to be stored in a way that feels less raw and overwhelming.

I often describe it to my clients like this: imagine a wound that hasn't healed properly. EMDR helps your brain go back and heal that wound in the way it was always meant to. The memory doesn't disappear, but it loses its sting. You can recall it without being flooded by the same intense emotions.

What Happens in an EMDR Session?

EMDR follows an eight-phase protocol, but I don't want you to worry about that sounding clinical or rigid. In practice, it feels much more natural than it sounds. Here's a gentle overview of what to expect:

1. History and preparation: We spend time getting to know each other and building a sense of safety. I'll learn about your experiences and we'll identify the memories you'd like to work on.
2. Assessment: We explore the specific memory, including the images, beliefs, emotions, and body sensations connected to it.
3. Desensitisation: This is where the eye movements come in. I'll guide you through sets of bilateral stimulation while you hold the memory in mind. You may notice the memory shifting, changing, or becoming less intense.
4. Installation: We strengthen a positive belief to replace the negative one that was attached to the memory.
5. Closure and review: We make sure you feel grounded and stable before the session ends, and we review your progress in subsequent sessions.

Who Can EMDR Help?

While EMDR was originally developed for PTSD, I've seen it help with a wide range of difficulties, including:

• Single-incident trauma (such as an accident, assault, or sudden loss)
• Complex trauma and childhood experiences
• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Phobias and fears
• Grief and loss
• Disturbing memories that feel "stuck"

It's worth knowing that EMDR doesn't require you to talk in detail about the traumatic event. For many of my clients, this is one of the most reassuring things about it. You don't need to relive the experience in words. The processing happens within you, at your own pace.

Can EMDR Be Done Online?

Yes, absolutely. I offer all my EMDR sessions online, and they are just as effective as in-person sessions. We use a secure video platform, and the bilateral stimulation is adapted for screen use. Many of my clients actually prefer the comfort and privacy of being in their own home during this work.

"You don't have to understand everything about EMDR to benefit from it. You just need to be willing to give your brain the chance to heal."

Taking the First Step

If you've been carrying something painful and you're wondering whether EMDR might help, I'd encourage you to reach out. There's no pressure and no commitment. We can have a conversation about your situation and explore whether EMDR feels like the right path for you.

Healing from trauma is possible, and you don't have to do it alone.