Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR)

Name: Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR)
Creator: Dr Becky Spelman
Published: June 16, 2025

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Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR)

by Dr Becky Spelman on June 16, 2025

What is EMDR?

Many psychological problems originate in trauma or other painful memories, such as assault, sexual assault, child abuse, and so forth. When trauma remains unresolved, it can lead to a variety of distressing symptoms, including panic attacks, anxiety, stress, and more. These can all have a very serious impact on your psychological health and your quality of life.

Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) was developed by psychologist in Francine Shapiro in 1987 in response to the challenge of treating trauma-based conditions. Since then, it has become a widely accepted part of the psychological cannon, used to treat people suffering from anxiety, panic disorders, PTSD and other traumas. It focuses on sensory inputs relating mostly to eye movement that assist you in recovering from trauma. Although its approach is largely unique, it does draw on some of the concepts of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). At its core, EMDR is used to facilitate the unblocking of emotional processes that have become stunted by any past traumatic experiences. Once you have cleared these emotional pathways, you can then move forward by reprogramming the mind with more positive mental and emotional thought-constructs. By doing this, you’re able to successfully overcome both the fear and pain associated with your emotional distress. You free yourself of the triggers that are the ruling factor of your behaviour.
Applications of EMDR
While much of the research associated with EMDR is concerned with the benefits it has for people who suffer from PTSD, there has been also been substantial evidence that it can aid in more than just trauma-based conditions.

Some of the applications include it being used to treat:
- Addiction
- Anxiety
- Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)
- Chronic Pain and Phantom Pain (Phantom Limb Syndrome)
- Depression
- Eating Disorders
- Panic Attacks
- Psychotic Symptoms
- Self Esteem
At present, there is only preliminary research that supports the application of EMDR for psychotic issues and chronic pain. This doesn’t necessarily indicate that it is ineffective, simply that the evidence is quite there to fully support it yet.
What should you Expect in an EMDR session?
EMDR works by helping you reprocess traumatic events and information until it no longer affects you or serves a disruptive force in your life. It involves eight phases of treatment – here is a breakdown of how the process works in a step-by-step account.

Phase 1 (History Taking): This involves a full and complete talking of your personal circumstances that have led to you to seeking therapy. The emphasis will be largely focused on your painful memories, events or other experiences that are causing your distress, as well as anything else that is currently causing you to feel stress. From here, you will develop a treatment plan with your therapist that is tailored to your individual needs.

Phase 2 (Preparation): During this phase, you’ll be helped with some coping exercises by your therapist to assist you in dealing with any stress and anxiety you may be experiencing.

Phases 3-6 (Desensitisation, Installation, Body Scan)
This is where the majority of the actual work of the session is done.
- You will first choose a target with your therapist. i.e. one of the memories, event or experiences you detailed in phase one.
- Next, with your eyes closed, you describe the visual picture you have of this event in your mind, as well as how it makes you feel both emotionally and physically – detailing any areas on the body where the emotion may be shoring up.
- You will then be asked to detail both a positive and a negative belief relating to this image. A negative belief that is currently affecting you and a positive belief you wish to replace it with.
- You’ll then be asked to rate both of these beliefs being asked how true each statement is for you.
- The EMDR bilateral eye movements with then begin, during which you’ll be asked to comment again how true each of these statements is for you until the positive statement is the predominant thought-process.
Phase 7 (Closure): You will then be taken to a phase of closure, so you’re completely dissociated from the pain that you were experiencing, and will then discuss the next positive steps to take in your treatment program.

Phase 8 (Re-Evaluation): You will then discuss your progress with your therapist and what else you may need to work on that you identified during Phase 1. You will assess your treatment goals, and make any necessary adjustments.
How Can I Book an EMDR Session?

If you would like to talk to someone about eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, please get in touch with the Private Therapy Clinic on Whatsapp message at: +447511116565 email, chat bot or book online to arrange an appointment.
References

Very Well Mind (11th Jul 2020) What Is EMDR Therapy? Retrieved on 26th December, 2020

Medical News Today (11th Jul 2019) EMDR therapy: Everything you need to know. Retrieved on 26th December, 2020 from, Link

Psycom (3rd Sept 2020) EMDR Therapy for Anxiety, Panic, PTSD and Trauma. Retrieved on 26th December, 2020