Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR)

Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) is a modern psychotherapy used to alleviate the psychological symptoms associated with traumatic memories.  It is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.

It is a common experience that adverse life events can trigger emotional and psychological distress.  Following a traumatic event, our minds can sometimes find it difficult to process such events.  Intrusive memories, nightmares and physiological disturbance (e.g. accelerated heart rate) are some of the symptoms often reported by individuals.  The primary goal of EMDR is to remove mental blocks triggered by the trauma and to eliminate the distress associated with it.  EMDR targets the traumatic event and the way in which it is stored in the mind, allowing more adaptive responses to the trauma to be made. 

Prior to the treatment stage, an assessment is completed to determine the suitability of the approach for the individual.  “Resource installation” (developing individualised techniques and strategies to support the process of the therapy) is then completed to prepare the individual for working through the trauma.  The therapy is conducted through a process called “bilateral stimulation” (e.g. use of side to side eye movements, alternating tapping movements or auditory stimulation) whilst the person is working through the trauma.  The procedure feels safe as the individual can stop whenever they need to and debrief in the room with the therapist.  The treatment is individualised and more in tune with the individual’s needs rather than being a set of standard procedures.  Once EMDR is completed, individuals report feeling more able to talk about the trauma without becoming distressed, allowing them to move forwards with their lives.