Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy: EMDR Therapy for Trauma

When you’ve been through trauma, moving past the memories can feel nearly impossible. EMDR therapy for trauma is a structured approach that helps you process traumatic experiences so they have less power over your life. With a trained therapist, you learn to process trauma more healthily. 

What Is Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)?

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of structured psychotherapy. It was developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro to help people process traumatic memories that keep causing distress, sometimes years after the event.

This therapy utilizes bilateral stimulation, often involving the movement of your eyes back and forth, but sometimes employing taps or sounds. The aim is to help your brain reprocess memories so they don’t feel as overwhelming.

During EMDR, you don’t have to talk in detail about the trauma. Instead, you focus on specific memories as your therapist guides you through the steps.

Throughout treatment, you might notice changes in your emotions or even physical sensations as you go. For many, EMDR has become a key part of trauma recovery, especially for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related mental health issues.

Using EMDR Therapy for Trauma 

EMDR works differently from most other trauma therapies. It’s designed to help your brain “digest” traumatic memories that just won’t go away. 

During sessions, you recall the event while focusing on a specific type of sensory input guided by your therapist. This process helps to reduce the distress connected to the memory over time.

You might follow your therapist’s moving hand with your eyes, listen to alternating tones, or feel gentle taps on your hands. These actions create a rhythmic movement from left to right across your body. 

The goal is to engage both sides of your brain while you briefly remember distressing events. Studies suggest this dual engagement makes upsetting memories less intense and easier to manage. The technique helps your brain reprocess the memories, lowering their emotional impact. 

The Eight Phases of EMDR Therapy

EMDR therapy is an eight-phase treatment designed to help people reprocess traumatic memories and change the negative belief systems linked to them. Below are the eight phases of the said therapy.

• Phase 1: History Taking & Planning: The therapist collects a full history of painful life experiences and PTSD symptoms to create an EMDR treatment plan.
• Phase 2: Preparation: The client is introduced to EMDR therapy, learns how the process works, and practises strategies to help manage distress.
• Phase 3: Assessment: The therapist and client identify the specific traumatic event, the negative belief, the desired positive belief, and any body sensations linked to the disturbing event.
• Phase 4: Desensitisation: The therapist begins EMDR processing using eye movement or bilateral stimulation to reprocess trauma.
• Phase 5: Installation: The positive belief is strengthened while the therapist continues using eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing.
• Phase 6: Body Scan: The client focuses on remaining body sensations, and the therapist works until any physical tension or distress is resolved.
• Phase 7: Closure: Each EMDR session ends with grounding or relaxation techniques so that the client leaves feeling safe and stable.
• Phase 8: Re-evaluation: At the next session, the therapist reviews treatment effects, checks for PTSD symptoms, and continues with protocols and procedures as needed.

What Are the Benefits of EMDR for Trauma?

EMDR therapy is widely used to help people process traumatic experiences. It’s shown benefits for PTSD, anxiety, depression, and more, often leading to better emotional health.

Treating PTSD and Traumatic Memories

EMDR was first developed to treat PTSD and is now considered a leading therapy for this condition. In EMDR sessions, you recall painful memories while following guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation.

This process helps your brain reprocess traumatic memories so they become less upsetting over time. Many people with PTSD experience intrusive thoughts, nightmares, or flashbacks.

EMDR aims to take the emotional charge out of these symptoms and shift unhelpful negative beliefs linked to traumatic events. As the memory loses its power, you may find it easier to create positive beliefs about yourself and regain control in your daily life.

Addressing Anxiety, Depression, and Other Conditions

While EMDR is best known for treating trauma and PTSD, it’s also used for anxiety, depression, phobias, panic, and grief. These conditions often involve negative life events or harmful beliefs about oneself, which EMDR can help address.

In EMDR for other conditions, you target memories or feelings connected to your anxiety, loss, or panic attacks. The therapy uses structured steps to lower your emotional response and create more realistic beliefs.

This can make everyday stress and sad feelings more manageable. Some people benefit from EMDR after major life losses, relationship problems, or ongoing stress. It’s adaptable and can be used in combination with other approaches, giving you more options for your mental health care. 

Comparison to Other Trauma Therapies

EMDR is often compared to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), another popular treatment for trauma. While CBT helps you challenge and change negative thoughts, EMDR focuses on processing disturbing memories directly using eye movements or similar methods.

Unlike some talk therapies, EMDR doesn’t require you to describe your trauma in full detail. Many people find this less overwhelming.

EMDR sessions are highly structured, usually working through a set of phases to guide your progress. Research indicates that EMDR is as effective as, or sometimes faster than, traditional therapies at reducing symptoms of PTSD.

What to Expect in an EMDR Session

During EMDR therapy for trauma, you’ll work closely with your therapist to process tough or traumatic memories. There’s a structure to it, but it’s not rigid. You’re supported and kept as comfortable as possible.

Session Structure and Therapeutic Environment

EMDR therapy is an eight-phase treatment, but it never feels mechanical.

At first, you and your therapist choose which distressing life experiences or trauma memories to target. This follows the adaptive information processing model, which explains why traumatic stress can linger until it is reprocessed. 

Sessions take place in a calm, private setting to help you feel grounded. You may notice emotions, thoughts, or body sensations come up as you work. If distress rises, your therapist will help you manage with relaxation or grounding strategies.

Sessions usually last 50 to 90 minutes, with techniques like rapid eye movement or gentle tapping guiding the process.

Client Experience: From Memory Targeting to Closure

The core of EMDR therapy begins when you focus on a disturbing event or traumatic experience. As you recall images, feelings, or sensations, your therapist uses eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing to help the brain reprocess the memory.

Over time, many people find that the trauma feels less overwhelming and their PTSD symptoms ease. Once distress drops, you move into the installation phase, where a positive belief replaces a negative one.

Before the session ends, a body scan checks for any remaining body tension. Closure makes sure you leave calm and safe, often with tools to use between sessions. These steps ensure treatment effects are steady and lasting.

Role of Positive and Negative Beliefs in Processing

Beliefs about yourself often change after traumatic stress, and EMDR therapy helps you reshape them.

A belief, like “I am unsafe,” can keep trauma memories alive. Your therapist helps you build a positive belief, such as “I am strong,” to replace it.

During installation, eye movements anchor this new way of thinking. Over time, positive beliefs become stronger while negative ones lose their hold.

Even small changes, like lighter emotions or reduced body sensations, show progress. These shifts explain why EMDR treatment is recognised as an effective treatment for PTSD by organisations like the NHS and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Treat PTSD with EMDR at Sierra Recovery

You don’t have to keep carrying the weight of trauma on your own. At Sierra Recovery, our team offers EMDR therapy as a gentle yet powerful way to help you reprocess painful memories and begin healing.

We’re here to help, no matter where you are in your recovery journey. If you’re ready to explore an evidence-based trauma treatment that focuses on real change, Sierra Recovery is here to support you.