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EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) is a widely used treatment method in psychology. EMDR is primarily used for symptoms resulting from trauma or PTSD. What exactly is EMDR and how does this therapy work? You can read more about it in this article.
What is EMDR?
EMDR is a type of therapy used to process traumatic experiences. EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. During EMDR, a psychologist helps reduce the intense emotions linked to a distressing memory.
You don’t forget what happened — but the emotional charge connected to the memory becomes much less intense. EMDR can be helpful if you’re experiencing ongoing symptoms as a result of a traumatic event.
How EMDR works
During EMDR sessions, the psychologist will ask you questions about the distressing event. You briefly bring the memory to mind, allowing the therapist to understand what happened and how it affects you. This starts the processing phase.
You are then asked to think about the event again while at the same time focusing on a distracting stimulus. This might be following the therapist’s fingers or moving lights from left to right with your eyes. Other forms of distraction can also be used, such as sounds, gentle taps on your knees, or a mental task like counting, calculating, or spelling.
Together, you and your psychologist choose the type of distraction that works best for you.
Because your brain is busy processing multiple things at once, the memory gradually loses its emotional intensity. The memory itself doesn’t disappear, but the fear, panic, or stress connected to it becomes much weaker.
As a result, you can think back to certain situations without being overwhelmed by anxiety or panic. Triggers become less powerful, intrusive memories decrease, and avoidance behavior often reduces as well.
When is EMDR suitable?
EMDR is commonly used when you’ve experienced trauma — a shocking or distressing event, or a series of such events. Experiencing or witnessing trauma can lead to psychological symptoms such as:
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Flashbacks or intrusive memories
- Avoidance behavior
EMDR is also used in the treatment of PTSD. With PTSD, trauma-related symptoms either persist for a long time or appear weeks, months, or even years after the event.
If processing a traumatic experience on your own doesn’t work, talking to a psychologist can help. In addition to EMDR, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may also be used to treat trauma.
EMDR is an intensive form of therapy and can be emotionally demanding. After a session, you may experience temporary side effects such as:
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- New thoughts, images, or emotions coming up
These effects usually fade within a few days. EMDR is often combined with exposure therapy, where you practice exercises at home to reduce avoidance and build confidence.
More information
Do you have questions about what EMDR could do for you? Or are you unsure whether it’s the right time to see a psychologist?
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With a referral from your GP, treatment costs are reimbursed by almost all health insurers.
FAQ
What if I don’t know exactly what triggers me?
EMDR can still work even if you don’t remember every detail of the trauma. We start with a memory, sensation, or feeling that currently causes distress and work from there. You don’t need to force anything or have all the answers.
Can I decide when we start EMDR?
Yes. We always begin by building trust and a sense of safety. EMDR is only used when you and your therapist both feel it’s the right time and that you’re stable enough. You stay in control throughout the process.
What does EMDR feel like during a session?
You remain fully conscious, but your attention is divided. This changes how the memory is stored in your brain. Many people feel tired or lighter afterward and notice that distress gradually decreases over time.
What’s the difference between EMDR and exposure therapy?
EMDR focuses on processing a specific, distressing memory that still causes strong emotional reactions. Exposure therapy helps you face feared situations instead of avoiding them, so anxiety can decrease over time.
EMDR and exposure therapy are often combined as part of a broader treatment plan.
