EMDR Therapy
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) Therapy is a powerful, evidence-based psychotherapy developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1987. What began as a chance observation during a walk in the park—noticing that certain eye movements reduced the intensity of disturbing thoughts—has evolved into one of the most extensively researched and effective treatments for trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). EMDR is recognized by major health organizations worldwide, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Psychiatric Association, and the Australian Psychological Society, as a first-line treatment for trauma.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR doesn't require detailed descriptions of traumatic events or lengthy exploration of the past. Instead, it uses bilateral stimulation—typically side-to-side eye movements, but also tactile tapping or audio tones—to activate the brain's natural healing processes. This allows the brain to reprocess traumatic memories in a way that reduces their emotional charge and integrates them more adaptively into your life narrative.
How EMDR Therapy Works
EMDR is based on the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, which proposes that the brain has an innate capacity to heal from psychological trauma, much like the body heals from physical injury. When an overwhelming or traumatic event occurs, the intensity of the experience can overwhelm the brain's normal processing mechanisms, causing the memory to be stored in a fragmented, unprocessed state. These "frozen" memories continue to trigger distressing symptoms when activated by reminders in the present.
During EMDR therapy, bilateral stimulation helps activate both hemispheres of the brain while you briefly focus on the traumatic memory. This dual attention—holding the memory while engaging in the bilateral stimulation—appears to facilitate the brain's information processing system, allowing it to reprocess the memory and integrate it more adaptively. The exact neurobiological mechanisms are still being researched, but imaging studies show that EMDR produces measurable changes in brain activity, particularly in areas associated with memory, emotion, and arousal.
EMDR follows an eight-phase protocol that provides structure and safety throughout the therapeutic process. These phases include history taking and treatment planning, preparation and stabilisation, assessment of the target memory, desensitisation, installation of positive beliefs, body scan, closure, and evaluation. This comprehensive approach ensures that you're adequately resourced before processing trauma and that the effects are integrated and lasting.
What EMDR Can Treat
EMDR is considered a "gold standard" evidence-based treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), particularly when resulting from single-incident trauma such as accidents, assaults, natural disasters, or medical emergencies. Research consistently demonstrates that EMDR can produce significant improvements in PTSD symptoms, often more rapidly than other therapeutic approaches, with effects that are maintained long-term.
Beyond PTSD, emerging research and clinical evidence suggest that EMDR is also effective for complex trauma— repeated traumatic experiences such as childhood abuse, neglect, or domestic violence. These "little t" traumas or attachment wounds can have profound impacts on self-esteem, relationships, and emotional regulation. Attachment-Focused EMDR helps address the underlying memories - explicit or implicit - that contribute to these difficulties, facilitating deeper healing and transformation.
EMDR has also shown effectiveness for anxiety disorders, panic attacks, phobias, depression, grief and loss, performance anxiety, and chronic pain. Many people find EMDR helpful for addressing distressing life experiences that don't meet full criteria for PTSD but still significantly impact their quality of life—such as humiliating experiences, relationship betrayals, or persistent feelings of inadequacy rooted in past events.
What to Expect in EMDR Sessions
EMDR sessions typically last 55-60 minutes and can be conducted in person at my Fitzroy North practice or online via secure video for clients across Australia. The initial phase of EMDR involves building a therapeutic relationship, gathering your history, and identifying specific targets for processing. We'll also spend time developing resources and stabilisation techniques to ensure you have adequate coping skills before beginning trauma processing.
During the processing phase, I'll guide you to bring to mind a specific traumatic memory or distressing experience while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation. For in-person sessions, this typically involves following my fingers with your eyes as I move them side to side. For online sessions, we can use self-administered tapping on alternating sides of the body or visual stimulation on screen. You'll process the memory in sets of eye movements, with brief check-ins between sets to notice what's emerging.
Many people worry that EMDR will be overwhelmingly distressing. While you may experience temporary discomfort as memories are activated, most clients find EMDR to be less emotionally intense than they expected. The bilateral stimulation appears to create a sense of distance or perspective on the memory, allowing you to process it without becoming overwhelmed. Sessions are carefully paced, and you remain in control throughout—you can stop at any time if needed.
One of the remarkable aspects of EMDR therapy is that it often works relatively quickly compared to traditional therapies. While complex trauma may require longer treatment, some single-incident traumas can be effectively processed in just a few sessions. Many clients report feeling noticeably lighter, clearer, and more at peace after completing EMDR processing on key memories.
EMDR Therapy integrated with Somatic Psychotherapy
In my practice, I integrate EMDR with somatic (body-based) approaches, particularly Somatic Experiencing. This integration recognizes that trauma is stored not just in memory but also in the body's nervous system. By combining EMDR's cognitive and neural reprocessing with somatic awareness and regulation techniques, we can address trauma more comprehensively and holistically.
This integrative approach is particularly valuable when working with complex trauma, developmental wounds, or situations where there may be significant body-based symptoms such as chronic pain, tension, or digestive issues. The somatic component helps ensure that trauma processing includes the body's experience and that your nervous system develops greater capacity for regulation and resilience.
Before beginning EMDR processing, we use somatic resourcing to help you develop a stronger sense of safety and groundedness in your body. During processing, we pay attention to both cognitive shifts and bodily sensations, allowing for a more complete integration of the therapeutic work. This combined approach supports not just the resolution of traumatic memories, but also the restoration of your sense of wholeness, vitality, and capacity for joy.
Research and Recognition
EMDR has been extensively researched over the past three decades, with numerous randomised controlled trials demonstrating its effectiveness.
You can learn more about EMDR therapy and the latest research at the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) website: emdria.org and the EMDR Association of Australia: emdraa.org.
Is EMDR Right for You?
EMDR Therapy may be a good fit if you're experiencing symptoms related to past traumatic or distressing experiences— such as intrusive memories, nightmares, hypervigilance, avoidance, emotional numbness, or difficulty trusting others. It's particularly valuable if you find it difficult or overwhelming to talk about your experiences in detail, as EMDR doesn't require extensive verbal processing of the trauma.
During an initial consultation, we can discuss your history, symptoms, and therapeutic goals to determine whether EMDR is an appropriate approach for you. Some situations may require additional stabilisation or preparation before beginning EMDR trauma processing, and in some cases, a different therapeutic approach may be more suitable. My goal is to provide personalised, trauma-informed care that honours your unique needs and supports your healing journey.