EMDR Therapy: A Powerful Approach to Healing Trauma and PTSD

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy approach that has gained wide acceptance for its effectiveness in treating trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR has become a first-line treatment for individuals suffering from the lasting effects of traumatic experiences.
Unlike traditional talk therapies, EMDR focuses on helping individuals process traumatic memories by using bilateral stimulation—such as guided eye movements or tactile taps—while recalling distressing events. This technique helps reduce the emotional intensity of trauma memories and allows clients to reprocess them in a more adaptive and integrated way.

How EMDR Works

EMDR therapy is based on the idea that unprocessed traumatic memories are stored in the brain in a raw, fragmented form. These memories can be easily triggered, leading to the intrusive symptoms commonly associated with PTSD. EMDR aims to unlock and reprocess these memories so that they lose their emotional charge and are stored more adaptively.

A standard EMDR treatment follows an eight-phase protocol:

• 1. History and Treatment Planning – The therapist gathers background and identifies trauma targets.
• 2. Preparation – Clients are taught coping strategies and introduced to the EMDR process.
• 3. Assessment – The specific traumatic memory, image, negative belief, and emotional response are identified.
• 4. Desensitization – The client recalls the trauma while undergoing bilateral stimulation.
• 5. Installation – A positive belief is strengthened to replace the original negative thought.
• 6. Body Scan – The client checks for residual tension or distress in the body.
• 7. Closure – The therapist ensures the client returns to a calm state.
• 8. Reevaluation – Previous progress is reviewed and future targets are assessed.

The process typically continues over multiple sessions, with each traumatic memory being targeted and reprocessed in turn.

EMDR for Trauma and PTSD

EMDR has shown consistent success in treating both single-event trauma and more complex forms of PTSD. Numerous studies and meta-analyses have demonstrated that EMDR can significantly reduce PTSD symptoms, including flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and emotional numbing.
One of the key benefits of EMDR for trauma is that it does not require clients to give detailed verbal accounts of their traumatic experiences. This can make it less distressing than some exposure-based therapies, which rely on retelling traumatic events repeatedly.
Moreover, EMDR has been shown to work relatively quickly. Some individuals report significant relief in as few as six to twelve sessions, making it a cost-effective option for PTSD treatment.

Scientific Support and Recognition

EMDR is supported by decades of research and is endorsed by major health organizations including:

• The World Health Organization (WHO)
• The American Psychological Association (APA)
• The US Department of Veterans Affairs
• The UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)

EMDR vs Other Therapies

When compared with other trauma treatments like prolonged exposure therapy and cognitive processing therapy, EMDR offers unique advantages:

• Efficiency: Some research suggests EMDR requires fewer sessions to achieve similar results.
• Reduced verbal exposure: Clients do not need to discuss the trauma in detail, which may improve comfort and engagement.
• Lower dropout rates: The gentler nature of EMDR may reduce therapy avoidance and dropout.

Applications Beyond PTSD

Although EMDR is most commonly associated with PTSD, it has also been used successfully for:

• Complex trauma and developmental trauma
• Anxiety disorders and phobias
• Depression and grief
• Pain management
• Performance anxiety

What to Expect in an EMDR Session

During a typical EMDR session, the therapist will guide the client through bilateral stimulation (BLS) while focusing on a specific traumatic memory. As the memory is processed, the emotional intensity often decreases and clients report new insights or shifts in perspective.
Clients may feel emotional during or after sessions, and it’s common to experience vivid dreams or temporary increases in distress. However, most people also describe a strong sense of relief and clarity as treatment progresses.
Therapists trained in EMDR are also careful to prepare clients beforehand with grounding techniques and emotional regulation tools to handle difficult emotions safely.

Is EMDR Safe?

EMDR is considered a safe and effective therapy when delivered by a trained professional. However, like all trauma-focused treatments, it can sometimes bring up intense emotions. Individuals with severe dissociation, active psychosis, or poor emotional regulation may require stabilization before beginning EMDR.
Qualified EMDR therapists follow safety protocols to ensure that treatment is appropriate for each client’s mental health status and trauma history.

Finding an EMDR Therapist

If you or someone you know is struggling with PTSD or trauma, working with a qualified EMDR therapist can be a transformative experience.

At Melbourne CBD Psychology and Endeavour Hills Psychology, we can help. Some of our therapists are qualified and experienced in working with EMDR for Truama and PTSD.

Visit Our Team page to select a therapist you'd like to work with.

Conclusion

EMDR is a powerful and well-supported therapy for treating trauma and PTSD. Its structured, client-centered approach offers an effective path to healing, often in fewer sessions than traditional therapies. Whether used for single-event trauma or more complex PTSD, EMDR helps individuals reprocess painful experiences so they can move forward with reduced emotional burden.

For individuals struggling with the effects of trauma, EMDR offers a beacon of hope—a therapy that not only addresses symptoms, but truly transforms lives.

References

• 1. Shapiro, F. (1989). Efficacy of the Eye Movement Desensitization Procedure in the Treatment of Traumatic Memories. Journal of Traumatic Stress.
• 2. American Psychological Association. (2017). Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of PTSD.
• 3. World Health Organization. (2013). Guidelines for the management of conditions specifically related to stress.
• 4. Cochrane Collaboration. (2018). Psychological therapies for chronic PTSD in adults.
• 5. Lee, C. W., & Cuijpers, P. (2013). A meta-analysis of the contribution of eye movements in EMDR treatment of PTSD. Journal of Anxiety Disorders.
• 6. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). (2018). PTSD: Management.
• 7. van den Berg, D. P. G., et al. (2015). Randomized Controlled Trial of EMDR Therapy for PTSD in People with Psychosis. Psychological Medicine.
• 8. Bisson, J. I., et al. (2013). Psychological therapies for chronic PTSD in adults: a meta-analysis. European Journal of Psychotraumatology.
• 9. Maxfield, L. (2019). The Role of Eye Movement in EMDR Therapy: A Review of the Empirical Evidence. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research.