EMDR: What Is It, and Could It Help?

If you’ve ever experienced something frightening, overwhelming or deeply upsetting, you may have come across the term EMDR.

It’s a therapy that is often talked about in relation to trauma and difficult experiences, but you may be wondering what actually happens in an EMDR session, and whether it could be right for you.

So, let’s take the jargon out of it.

What is EMDR?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing.

It was originally developed to help people process traumatic experiences, and it is now used by trained therapists to support people with a range of difficulties connected to distressing or overwhelming experiences.

The basic idea is that sometimes our brains can struggle to properly process something that has happened to us.

You might know that something happened in the past, but your body and nervous system can still react as though it is happening now.

You may notice this through things like:

* intrusive memories or images

* nightmares

* feeling constantly on edge

* strong emotional reactions to certain situations

* avoiding things that remind you of what happened

* feeling disconnected or numb

* physical sensations or panic that seem to come from nowhere

EMDR aims to help the brain process these memories in a different way, so that they become something that happened then, rather than something that feels as though it is happening now.

So, what actually happens during EMDR?

This is probably the part that most people are curious about.

Despite the name, EMDR isn't simply about moving your eyes around while talking about something difficult.

A trained EMDR therapist will first spend time getting to know you, understanding what you're struggling with and helping you develop ways to feel safe and grounded.

When you're ready, the therapist may ask you to briefly bring a distressing memory, thought, image or feeling to mind while engaging in what's called bilateral stimulation.

This might involve following the therapist's fingers with your eyes from side to side. But eye movements aren't the only option. Depending on the person and the therapist's approach, bilateral stimulation can also involve alternating sounds or gentle taps.

The idea is to help your brain process the memory while you remain in the present, with the support of your therapist.

And importantly, you don't have to tell your therapist every tiny detail of what happened.

What are the potential benefits of EMDR?

Research supports EMDR as an effective treatment for PTSD and trauma related difficulties, and it is recommended by several clinical guidelines for PTSD.

People who respond well to EMDR can experience changes such as:

Less emotional intensity.

A memory may still be there, but it doesn't carry the same overwhelming emotional charge.

Fewer intrusive memories or nightmares.

Distressing memories may become less frequent or less disruptive.

Feeling safer in the present.

You may find that your nervous system isn't reacting as strongly to reminders of the past.

Less self blame.

Sometimes traumatic experiences leave us with painful beliefs such as “It was my fault,” “I'm not safe,” or “There is something wrong with me.” EMDR can help people develop more helpful and compassionate ways of understanding themselves and what happened.

More freedom in everyday life.

When something from the past isn't constantly setting off your alarm system, there can be more room to focus on relationships, work, family and simply enjoying life.

Of course, no therapy works in exactly the same way for everyone. Your therapist should work collaboratively with you and make sure the approach is appropriate for your circumstances.

But here's something you might not expect...

I don't offer EMDR myself.

And there's a slightly unusual reason for that.

I have a genuine fear of eyes.

Yes......eyes.

The thought of them make me gag, putting on makeup has its challanges put it this way, as for eyes drops nope not gonna happen.

Which makes offering a therapy called Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing feel like a slightly questionable career choice!

But actually, there's something important in that.

As a therapist, I don't believe I need to offer every type of therapy in order to recognise when another approach could potentially be helpful for someone.

Therapy isn't about finding one person who can do absolutely everything.

It's about finding the right support for you.

And if, after talking things through, EMDR sounds like something that could be beneficial, I'd much rather be honest about the fact that it isn't something I personally provide and help you find an appropriately trained EMDR therapist.

There are also different ways of delivering the bilateral stimulation, so if the idea of following someone's fingers with your eyes makes you feel uncomfortable, it's worth discussing that with a qualified EMDR therapist. You may have other options.

Does that mean EMDR is right for you?

Not necessarily.

And that's okay.

Therapy isn't one size fits all. Some people love the structured nature of EMDR and find it incredibly helpful. Others prefer talking therapies, approaches that focus more on the present, or a combination of different therapeutic techniques.

The most important thing is having a conversation with someone properly trained who can understand you experiences and help you decide what might be appropriate.

You don't have to arrive at therapy knowing which treatment you need.

That's part of what the first conversation is for.

And if you've been wondering whether EMDR might be worth exploring, you don't have to make that decision alone.

Sometimes the first step is simply asking the question.