EMDR explained
EMDR sounds odd described in a sentence. Described properly, it is one of the most structured and best-evidenced trauma treatments available.
The idea in one paragraph
Ordinary memories get filed with a timestamp and a sense of resolution. Overwhelming ones sometimes do not — they stay raw, complete with the original sensations. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation while you briefly hold the memory in mind, and the brain resumes the filing it could not complete at the time.
- Eight structured phases, not a freeform chat
- Bilateral stimulation: eye movements, taps or tones
- Short sets with frequent check-ins
- You stay awake, aware and in control
Why detail is not required
Unlike narrative therapies, EMDR does not need a full account of the event. It works on fragments — an image, a sound, a belief about yourself. Many clients find this the deciding factor.
Evidence and limits
EMDR is recommended by NICE and the World Health Organization for PTSD. It is not a fit for everyone: active psychosis, certain dissociative presentations and unstable circumstances all need different sequencing first, and that is assessed before starting.
Common questions
Is EMDR hypnosis?+
No. You remain fully awake and aware throughout — they are separate methods, though both are used in this practice.
Does it work online?+
Yes, with approved bilateral stimulation tools, once stabilisation is solid.
Will I forget what happened?+
No. The memory stays; what changes is its charge and how present it feels.
See whether EMDR fits your situation
A free fifteen-minute call, with no detail about the event required.