What is EMDR Treatment and How Does it Help?

What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as a psychological treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) arose as a result of a chance discovery by American psychologist Francine Shapiro who reported that, while she was walking in a park, noticed that a particular type of eye movement had a desensitizing effect on the intensity of her own traumatic memories. The effect was that the thoughts disappeared, but if subsequently retrieved were without their previously disturbing emotional aspect. This observation led Shapiro to develop the treatment now known as EMDR.

While the patient focuses on the traumatic memory or thought, he or she simultaneously moves his or her eyes back and forth, to follow the movement of the therapist’s finger. The exact mechanisms through which EMDR works are not yet clear – several theories have been proposed to explain its effects – which have been the subject of a lively debate for many years (e.g. see McNally, 2013).

What Conditions Does EMDR Therapy Treat?

Regardless of the precise mechanisms, published reviews of the empirical evidence support the efficacy of EMDR and its usefulness in the adaptive resolution of trauma: Chen et al (2014) analysed 26 randomized controlled trials of EMDR therapy for PTSD published between 1991 and 2013, and found that EMDR significantly reduces the symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and subjective distress in PTSD patients. Torres-Gimenez et al. (2024) analysed 11 published randomized control trials and found beneficial effects of early EMDR interventions on post-traumatic symptoms at post-treatment and at 3-month follow-up.

While originally created for PTSD, EMDR has been increasingly applied to a range of other psychiatric conditions, including anxiety, phobic disorders, depression, bereavement, and eating disorders. Research is currently limited but has produced some support for the efficacy of EMDR as a treatment for conditions other than PTSD. For example, Carletto et al (2022) analysed nine published studies evaluating the effects of EMDR on depression and concluded that EMDR was an effective treatment for improving symptoms of depression, with effects comparable to other active treatments.

EMDR in Combination with CBT

A 2019 study reported evidence that EMDR therapy combined with CBT proved effective in reducing symptoms of ARFID in two young adult women patients. When looking at the outcome research comparing EMDR and CBT, one should keep in mind that EMDR therapy does not involve the 30 to 100 hours of homework that are included in most CBT therapies. Thus, EMDR is able to achieve its therapeutic impact with less exposure to the trauma and with only in-session treatment. As a result of these characteristics, researchers have concluded that this makes EMDR a more user-friendly, better-tolerated therapy for both clients and therapists. Ongoing research explores both the development of the EMDR procedure itself and the nature of its mechanisms of action.

The EMDR Process

EMDR therapy involves a structured process that begins with a thorough history and preparation. A therapist will sometimes utilise EMDR in conjunction with other methods such as, for example, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which can enable the client to deal with difficult emotions that might arise during EMDR. EMDR therapy offers a unique and powerful approach to healing from trauma and other emotional difficulties. Its effectiveness across a range of conditions makes it a valuable tool for mental health professionals.

If you’re struggling with emotional distress, anxiety, trauma, or other mental health challenges, EMDR might be a beneficial option to explore. Consulting with a qualified and accredited EMDR therapist can help you determine if it’s the right approach for your individual needs.