What is EMDR?

Are you interested in EMDR therapy, but not sure it's right for you? EMDR can be helpful for almost anyone. EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It’s a type of psychotherapy developed to help people process and recover from traumatic experiences. The therapy involves recalling distressing memories while focusing on external stimuli, usually guided by the therapist's movements of their fingers, sounds, or taps.

A typical EMDR session with Jennifer will look a little different for everyone, but will go something like this:

History Taking and Preparation: Jennifer will gather information about your history and help you develop coping strategies to manage emotional distress during the therapy.

Assessment: You identify specific memories and the negative beliefs associated with them that you want to work on.

Desensitization: You focus on the memory while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation (e.g., following the therapist’s fingers moving back and forth). This process is believed to help your brain reprocess the memory, reducing its emotional charge.

Installation: You work on replacing negative beliefs with more positive ones related to the memory.

Body Scan: You notice if there is any residual tension or distress in your body related to the memory.

Closure: You use relaxation techniques to help stabilize yourself before ending the session.

Reevaluation: In subsequent sessions, you review the progress and address any remaining issues.

LEARN MORE ABOUT EMDR Therapy

What is EMDR therapy? Find out here

Find out What is an actual EMDR session like? 

Learn the 8 phases of treatment

Introductory video about EMDR

EMDR experts explain the benefits of EMDR

EMDR patients share their stories

An EMDR therapist shares her EMDR experience

IS EMDR right for me?

EMDR therapy can benefit a wide range of individuals, particularly those dealing with trauma and related issues.

If you have struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), trauma or abuse, anxiety, depression, complicated grief, low self-esteem and negative self-beliefs, performance anxiety or phobias, or are seeking personal growth, you may benefit from EMDR.

Research in support of EMDR effectiveness:

  • Twenty-four randomized controlled trials support the positive effects of EMDR therapy in the treatment of emotional trauma and other adverse life experiences relevant to clinical practice.

  • Seven of 10 studies reported EMDR therapy to be more rapid and/or more effective than trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy.

  • Twelve randomized studies of the eye movement component noted rapid decreases in negative emotions and/or vividness of disturbing images, with an additional 8 reporting a variety of other memory effects.

  • Numerous other evaluations document that EMDR therapy provides relief from a variety of somatic complaints.

  • Research and frequently asked questions about EMDR

EMDR is endorsed by the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the U.K. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs/Dept. of Defense, The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and the World Health Organization.

  • EMDR is based on the idea that traumatic memories can become "stuck" in the brain, causing ongoing distress and symptoms. 

    During EMDR therapy, you will recall distressing memories while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation, typically through guided eye movements, but sometimes through sounds or taps. This process will help the brain reprocess the traumatic memory, integrating it into a more adaptive and less distressing form.

  • Yes, EMDR therapy is effective, particularly for treating trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Numerous studies have demonstrated that EMDR can significantly reduce the symptoms of PTSD and other trauma-related conditions. EMDR is recognized by organizations like the American Psychological Association (APA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) as an evidence-based treatment for trauma.

  • The exact duration depends on the individual's progress and the therapist's assessment of their needs. Some people may feel significant relief within a few sessions, while others might require extended treatment to achieve their goals.