EMDR Therapy

EMDR combines attention to aspects of a distressing memory with bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements. There are several theories about why this is helpful, and the precise mechanism is still being researched.

The aim is not to erase what happened. It is to help the experience become less distressing and better integrated with the rest of your memory and present-day life.

The strongest established evidence for EMDR is for PTSD and trauma-related symptoms. EMDR is also used clinically with other difficulties where distressing experiences, memories or learned responses may be contributing, although the evidence base is not the same for every problem.

Not necessarily. I need enough information to understand what you are experiencing, consider whether EMDR is appropriate and agree what we are working with, but EMDR does not always require a detailed verbal account of every part of an experience.

No. EMDR does not remove a memory or make you forget what happened. The aim is for the memory to become less emotionally overwhelming and to have less impact in the present.

No. EMDR is not hypnosis. You remain awake and aware, and you can speak, pause or stop at any point.

Working with distressing experiences can sometimes bring strong emotions, body sensations, memories or dreams during or between sessions. This is one reason preparation, pacing and review are important.

A difficult reaction is not something you should simply tolerate because it proves the therapy is working. Tell me about anything concerning so that we can review the pace and what you need.

There is no single number that applies to everyone. NICE describes EMDR for adults with PTSD as typically being provided over 8 to 12 sessions, with more sessions where clinically indicated, for example where there have been multiple traumatic experiences.

Your history, current circumstances, preparation needs and the work we agree to focus on can all affect the length of therapy.

Yes. EMDR can be delivered online when this is appropriate for you and the work being undertaken. We also consider privacy, internet connection, your physical environment, safety and how we will manage any difficulties if they arise during a remote session.

No therapy is right for everyone in every circumstance. We consider what is happening now, current risks, your ability to manage distress, available support and whether more preparation or a different approach would be more useful at this point.

Yes. Adults may use EMDR to work with distressing or traumatic experiences that happened much earlier in life, where those experiences continue to affect emotions, beliefs, body responses or relationships in the present.

Potentially, yes. There is no universal three-month recovery rule. We consider current substance use, recovery stability, coping resources, risk and whether trauma-focused processing is appropriate now or whether preparation or other support needs to come first.

NICE specifically advises that people with PTSD should not be excluded from treatment solely because of coexisting drug or alcohol misuse.

We review progress throughout therapy. This can include whether a target memory feels less distressing, whether associated beliefs or body responses have changed, whether triggers are affecting you differently and how you are managing outside sessions.

Then processing does not have to begin immediately. Preparation is one of the phases of EMDR. We can spend time understanding what you need, strengthening resources and deciding together when - or whether - processing is the right next step.