EMDR Therapy
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It’s a psychotherapy approach originally developed to help people recover from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). EMDR has evolved and is now used to treat a wide range of difficulties, particularly those rooted in past trauma.
How EMDR works
EMDR helps the brain reprocess traumatic or distressing memories so they no longer feel as vivid, painful, or overwhelming. During EMDR therapy, the client is guided to recall a troubling memory while also engaging in bilateral stimulation – this might involve moving their eyes back and forth (hence the name), tapping, or using sounds that alternate between the left and right ear.
This process stimulates the brain’s natural healing systems, helping a memory that is “stuck” (i.e. feels like the troubling event is still affecting the present moment) move on to another part of the brain where it can be filed away under the heading of “this bad thing happened, but it doesn’t affect how I feel about myself now”. People feel more detached from the emotional charge of the memory over time. For some, however, the starting point for therapy is actually a lot of numbness around the traumatic event(s), an avoidance of emotions. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR doesn’t require clients to go into great verbal detail about the memory, which can be a relief for many.
How EMDR can help with different kinds of trauma
When people hear the word “trauma,” they often think of extreme situations like war, life-changing accidents, or sexual abuse. Trauma can also come from experiences that are deeply wounding in a less obvious way – like being ignored as a child, being bullied, growing up with a critical parent or teacher, or living through periods of uncertainty and instability.
EMDR can help with both “big T” trauma and “small t” trauma.
EMDR for single-event trauma
If you have had a specific, distressing experience – like a car accident, a difficult childbirth, a medical emergency, or an attack – EMDR can help reduce symptoms like:
- Flashbacks or intrusive memories
- Anxiety or panic
- Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
- Avoidance of reminders (for example not wanting to drive after a crash)
- A sense of being “stuck” in the past
Often, just a few sessions of EMDR can make a significant difference in how a person feels about the event.
EMDR for complex or childhood trauma
Longer-term or repeated trauma – such as childhood neglect, emotional abuse or years of being in an unsafe relationship – can lead to more complex symptoms:
- Low self-worth or chronic shame
- Trouble trusting others
- Relationship difficulties
- Emotional numbness
- Unexplained anxiety or depression
- Patterns of self-sabotage
EMDR can gently and gradually help untangle these complex patterns, often by targeting the memories or moments that laid the foundation for them. Over time, clients often report feeling more empowered, less reactive, and more able to live in the present.
EMDR for anxiety, phobias, and performance Issues
Sometimes, a fear or block in the present can be linked to a past event – consciously or unconsciously. EMDR has been used to successfully treat:
- Fear of public speaking
- Test or performance anxiety
- Phobias (for example fear of flying, dogs, or driving)
- Work-related stress or burnout
- Medical anxiety (for example fear of needles or hospitals)
The therapy works by identifying the root experience or belief, reprocessing it, and helping the brain learn that the present situation is safe.
