EMDR Therapy

What is it?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is a psychotherapy approach that was originally developed to help individuals overcome the distress associated with traumatic experiences. It has since been expanded to address various other mental health conditions and issues.

During an EMDR therapy session, the client is guided to focus on a specific traumatic memory or distressing event while simultaneously attending to bilateral stimulation. This stimulation can be achieved through eye movements, taps, or auditory tones. The therapist helps the client process the memory and associated emotions, thoughts, and bodily sensations in a safe and controlled environment.

How does it work?

  • The primary goal of EMDR therapy is to facilitate the adaptive processing of traumatic memories or distressing experiences. It aims to alleviate the emotional distress, decrease negative beliefs, and promote the development of healthier, more adaptive perspectives and behaviors. Here are some potential benefits of EMDR therapy for clients:

    1. Trauma resolution: EMDR therapy has been particularly effective in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It helps individuals process traumatic memories, reducing the emotional intensity and associated symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance.

    2. Reduced distress: EMDR therapy can help clients reduce distress related to a wide range of issues, including phobias, anxiety disorders, panic attacks, depression, grief, and low self-esteem. It targets the underlying causes of distress and helps individuals develop healthier coping mechanisms.

    3. Cognitive restructuring: EMDR therapy can assist in identifying and modifying negative beliefs and self-perceptions that developed as a result of traumatic experiences. By processing these beliefs in the context of the traumatic memory, clients can develop more positive and adaptive self-concepts.

    4. Enhanced emotional regulation: EMDR therapy helps individuals develop better emotional regulation skills. Through the processing of traumatic memories, clients can experience a reduction in intense emotional reactions and gain greater control over their emotional responses.

    5. Improved self-awareness: EMDR therapy can increase clients' understanding of how their past experiences impact their present thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This increased self-awareness allows for a more comprehensive healing process and the potential for personal growth.

Who can it help?


EMDR therapy has been found to be helpful for a wide range of clients and can be used to treat various mental health conditions. Here are some examples:

  1. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): EMDR therapy is widely recognized as an effective treatment for PTSD. It can help individuals who have experienced traumatic events such as accidents, natural disasters, physical or sexual assault, combat, or witnessing violence.

  2. Anxiety disorders: EMDR therapy can be beneficial for individuals with different types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, and panic disorder. It helps reduce anxiety symptoms and the distress associated with triggering situations or objects.

  3. Depression: EMDR therapy can be used as an adjunctive treatment for depression. By addressing underlying traumatic experiences or distressing memories, it can help alleviate depressive symptoms and promote a more positive outlook.

  4. Substance abuse and addiction: EMDR therapy can be integrated into the treatment of substance abuse and addiction. It can help individuals process underlying trauma that may have contributed to their addictive behaviors, reduce cravings, and support relapse prevention.

  5. Dissociative disorders: EMDR therapy can be useful for individuals with dissociative disorders, such as dissociative identity disorder (DID) or dissociative amnesia. It can assist in the integration and processing of fragmented or disconnected memories and experiences.

  6. Phobias and fears: EMDR therapy has been effective in treating specific phobias and irrational fears. It helps individuals desensitize to the feared object or situation and reprocess the associated distressing memories or beliefs.

  7. Grief and loss: EMDR therapy can support individuals who are experiencing grief and loss. It can help process the emotions, memories, and unresolved issues related to the loss, facilitating the healing process.

  8. Performance anxiety: EMDR therapy can be beneficial for individuals who struggle with performance anxiety in areas such as public speaking, sports, or artistic performances. It helps reduce anxiety and enhance self-confidence.

It's important to note that while EMDR therapy has been shown to be effective for many clients and conditions, it may not be appropriate or recommended for everyone. Each individual's situation is unique, and it's crucial to consult with a qualified mental health professional who can assess your specific needs and determine if EMDR therapy is suitable for you.