What is EMDR?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a highly effective, evidence-based psychotherapy developed by Dr Francine Shapiro in 1987. Originally designed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it has since been recognised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, 2005) in the UK as the first line of treatment for PTSD. In addition to PTSD, an expanding body of research supports its effectiveness in treating other mental health conditions, including depression (Carletto et al., 2017), psychosis (van den Berg et al., 2015), and various mood and anxiety disorders and grief.
The Theoretical basis of EMDR
When a person experiences trauma, the brain can become overwhelmed and unable to process the event in the usual way. As a result, distressing experiences may become ‘frozen in time’, stored in their original, unprocessed form. These memories can resurface as intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, or emotional distress, creating the sensation that the traumatic event is happening again. This can profoundly affect a person's self-perception, relationships, and overall quality of life.
EMDR assists in reprocessing these traumatic memories, restoring the brain's natural ability to integrate and make sense of past experiences. Following successful EMDR treatment, individuals can still recall the events, but they no longer provoke the same emotional distress. This process is based on Dr Shapiro's Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, which posits that the brain has an innate physiological capacity to heal, much like the body recovers from physical injury.
In EMDR therapy, clients work with trained therapists to reprocess traumatic memories using bilateral stimulation—such as guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones. This technique supports the brain in desensitising and integrating distressing memories, ultimately enhancing emotional wellbeing and psychological resilience.
The 8 Phases of EMDR Therapy
EMDR is an integrative psychotherapy approach. It follows a structured eight-phase protocol designed to ensure safe, effective, and individualised treatment:
- Client History & Treatment Planning – Gathering background information, identifying treatment goals, formulating the case, and developing a personalised treatment plan.
- Preparation – Building a therapeutic alliance, explaining the EMDR process, and equipping the client with resources and coping strategies.
- Assessment – Identifying target memories along with associated emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations.
- Desensitisation & Reprocessing – Using bilateral stimulation to reduce the emotional intensity of traumatic memories.
- Installation of Positive Cognition – Reinforcing adaptive, positive beliefs to replace negative thoughts.
- Body Scan – Ensuring any residual physical tension or distress has been processed.
- Closure – Helping clients return to a state of stability at the end of each session, whether the session is complete or not.
- Re-evaluation – Reviewing progress and refining the treatment plan as necessary.
EMDR is three-pronged model (past, present and future) and is a natural, effective therapy that empowers individuals to process distressing experiences and subsequently move forward with greater resilience to tackle future life events.