How EMDR Works and Who It Might Help

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) was developed in the late 1980s and has since accumulated a substantial body of research evidence. It is recommended by the NHS, NICE, and the World Health Organization for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, and it is increasingly used for other presentations including anxiety, phobias, and complicated grief.

Despite this, it is still often viewed with scepticism. The name sounds unusual. The idea of eye movements being involved in psychological treatment sounds, to many people, implausible. It is worth understanding what is actually happening.

What EMDR involves

EMDR works through bilateral stimulation: a repeated, rhythmic stimulation of both sides of the body or visual field. This is most commonly done through guided eye movements, though tapping or sound can also be used. While the bilateral stimulation is taking place, the client brings to mind a distressing memory, focusing on the image, the emotions, and the physical sensations associated with it.

What happens next is difficult to describe precisely, but clients typically report that the memory begins to shift. It becomes less vivid, less charged, more like something that happened rather than something that is still happening. The body relaxes. The distress reduces. Over repeated sets of bilateral stimulation, the memory is reprocessed: integrated into the past rather than remaining lodged in the present.

“EMDR does not erase memories. It changes their emotional quality, allowing the past to feel like the past.”

Why it might work

The exact mechanism is not fully understood, but the leading hypothesis involves the similarities between bilateral stimulation and REM sleep, the stage of sleep in which the brain naturally processes and consolidates memories. Trauma is thought to disrupt this natural processing, leaving memories stored in a raw, unintegrated form. EMDR appears to help complete the processing that was interrupted.

Who it might help

EMDR is most well-established for single-incident trauma: an accident, an assault, a medical emergency. But it is also used for more complex presentations, including childhood trauma, recurring adverse experiences, and the kind of background anxiety that does not seem to be attached to any single event but may have roots in early experiences.

It is not suitable for everyone. Some people find it difficult to engage with, particularly if they struggle to maintain dual awareness: the ability to be both in the memory and aware of being in a safe present moment. This is something we assess carefully in the preparation phase.

What to expect if you try EMDR

EMDR at Millbrook Therapy always begins with significant preparation work. We do not jump straight into trauma processing. We spend time building a clear picture of your history, understanding what needs to be processed, and developing the internal resources that will support you through the work. Many clients find this preparation phase valuable in itself.

The processing can feel strange and sometimes intense. Some people experience a significant emotional response during sessions. Between sessions, memories may surface and processing may continue. I am available between sessions by email for clients undergoing EMDR.