EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It is an evidence-based psychotherapy developed in the late 1980s to help people process traumatic or distressing experiences that continue to affect their emotional wellbeing.
EMDR is not only about the past. Isobel also uses it to address present concerns and worries about the future, including repeatedly imagining that something will go wrong. This work can explore distressing mental images and underlying beliefs such as “I am not good enough” or “I will never be loved”, which can shape expectations about relationships, work and the future. The aim is to reduce their emotional intensity and develop a more balanced, flexible response.
In EMDR therapy, clients briefly bring a troubling memory, belief, or emotional experience to mind while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, alternating tapping, or auditory tones. This structured process helps the brain reprocess the memory so that it becomes integrated rather than emotionally overwhelming.
How EMDR works
EMDR is based on the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, which proposes that the brain has a natural ability to process and integrate life experiences. When a person experiences overwhelming stress or trauma, this processing system can become disrupted, leaving memories stored in a fragmented and emotionally charged form.
Research in neuroscience suggests that bilateral stimulation may help activate neural networks involved in memory reconsolidation and emotional regulation, allowing the brain to reprocess previously unresolved experiences. As this happens, the memory often becomes less distressing and new, more adaptive beliefs about oneself and the world can emerge.
What to expect in therapy
EMDR therapy follows a structured eight-phase protocol that includes:
- History and treatment planning
- Preparation
- Assessment
- Desensitisation
- Installation
- Body scan
- Closure
- Re-evaluation
Unlike some trauma therapies, EMDR does not require clients to describe traumatic events in detail. The focus is on allowing the brain’s natural processing mechanisms to do the work of integration.
What EMDR can help with
EMDR is widely used for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and has also been shown to help with:
- complex trauma
- anxiety and panic
- distressing memories
- negative self-beliefs
- grief and difficult life experiences
EMDR can also help with phobias, including fear of flying. Someone may experience panic simply imagining a flight and avoid travelling altogether, affecting family life, relationships and work. Therapy can address the feared scenarios, associated beliefs and physical anxiety responses, with the aim of making flying feel manageable rather than overwhelming.
Research also suggests that EMDR may help some people with chronic physical pain, including fibromyalgia. The evidence is still developing, and treatment can be considered alongside appropriate medical care. The number of sessions required varies depending on the individual and the complexity of the issues being addressed.
EMDR in an integrative approach
In Isobel’s practice, EMDR is often integrated with other therapeutic approaches such as relational psychotherapy, mindfulness-based work, and psychoeducation about the nervous system. This allows treatment to address both the emotional and neurological aspects of trauma and stress.