What Is Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)?
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured, evidence‑informed approach to therapy that supports people to work through distressing memories and experiences that may continue to affect them in the present.
Sometimes difficult experiences are not fully processed at the time they occur, particularly when they are overwhelming or unexpected. These memories can remain “stuck,” meaning they may still trigger strong emotional, physical, or emotional responses long after the event has passed. EMDR is designed to help the brain process these memories in a more adaptive way, so they feel less distressing and easier to recall.
EMDR is commonly used to support people who have experienced trauma, including single‑incident events as well as ongoing or complex experiences. It is also used with anxiety, phobias, distressing life events, and experiences that continue to feel emotionally charged or intrusive.
How EMDR Is Used in Therapy Sessions
EMDR therapy is structured yet flexible, and sessions are guided carefully to ensure safety and support throughout the process. Before working directly with distressing memories, time is spent building trust, understanding your experiences, and developing strategies to help you feel grounded and supported.
During EMDR sessions, you may:
Over time, many people find that memories feel less intense, less intrusive, and easier to place in the past, allowing for greater emotional ease and flexibility in the present.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured, evidence‑informed approach to therapy that supports people to work through distressing memories and experiences that may continue to affect them in the present.
Sometimes difficult experiences are not fully processed at the time they occur, particularly when they are overwhelming or unexpected. These memories can remain “stuck,” meaning they may still trigger strong emotional, physical, or emotional responses long after the event has passed. EMDR is designed to help the brain process these memories in a more adaptive way, so they feel less distressing and easier to recall.
EMDR is commonly used to support people who have experienced trauma, including single‑incident events as well as ongoing or complex experiences. It is also used with anxiety, phobias, distressing life events, and experiences that continue to feel emotionally charged or intrusive.
How EMDR Is Used in Therapy Sessions
EMDR therapy is structured yet flexible, and sessions are guided carefully to ensure safety and support throughout the process. Before working directly with distressing memories, time is spent building trust, understanding your experiences, and developing strategies to help you feel grounded and supported.
During EMDR sessions, you may:
- Talk through experiences that continue to feel distressing or impactful
- Learn grounding and stabilisation strategies to support emotional safety
- Focus briefly on memories while engaging in guided bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements, tapping, or sounds)
- Notice changes in thoughts, emotions, or physical sensations as memories are processed
- Integrate new perspectives and responses that feel more settled and manageable
Over time, many people find that memories feel less intense, less intrusive, and easier to place in the past, allowing for greater emotional ease and flexibility in the present.
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