More than eye movements
EMDR is a complete therapy model that includes history, preparation, assessment, processing and integration.
EMDR therapy can help the past feel less present.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a structured psychotherapy approach that can support the processing of distressing experiences, memories and trauma related symptoms.
Your mind and body may continue reacting long after danger has passed.
A distressing experience can remain connected with intense emotions, body sensations, beliefs and images. Present day situations may then activate the same alarm, even when part of you knows that you are safe now.
EMDR therapy helps you approach this material within a structured process. The aim is not to erase memory. It is to support adaptive processing so that the experience can feel more like something that happened in the past rather than something that is still happening now.
Bilateral stimulation
Guided eye movements, alternating taps or sounds may be used while you attend to selected material.
Preparation matters
Processing should begin only after assessment, planning and preparation that reflect your needs and capacity.
How EMDR supports processing.
During processing, you may briefly notice a selected image, belief, emotion or body sensation while following sets of bilateral stimulation. Your therapist then pauses and invites you to notice what is present.
Thoughts, sensations, images and emotions may shift through this process. The therapist helps maintain structure, monitors your responses and adjusts the pace according to what emerges.
You remain present and in control.You are awake throughout EMDR. You can speak, pause, ask questions or stop. A therapist should explain the process and work collaboratively with you throughout treatment.
EMDR follows an eight phase treatment model.
The phases provide structure, but therapy is not a race through a checklist. Preparation, assessment and processing may take different amounts of time for different people.
History and Planning
Understand concerns, history, strengths, safety, goals and possible treatment targets.
Preparation
Build understanding, resources and strategies that support stability and participation.
Assessment
Identify the image, belief, preferred belief, emotion, body sensation and current distress.
Desensitization
Use bilateral stimulation while noticing the material and changes that arise.
Installation
Strengthen a more adaptive belief connected with the processed experience.
Body Scan
Notice whether any related disturbance remains present in the body.
Closure
Support stability at the end of the session whether processing is complete or continuing.
Reevaluation
Review the target, progress and any new information at a later session.
Healing can create more room for everyday life.
Progress may include less emotional intensity, fewer intrusive reminders, more helpful beliefs, greater choice in the present and a body that can settle more readily after activation.
The outcome and pace vary. EMDR is not about forgetting what happened or promising that difficult memories will never arise. It is about changing how those experiences are held and how strongly they shape the present.
What EMDR therapy may support.
An EMDR trained clinician will assess whether the approach fits your concerns, goals, history and current needs.
Trauma and Distressing Events
Support with intrusive memories, triggers, avoidance, shame, hypervigilance and altered beliefs about safety.
Explore Trauma SupportGrief and Traumatic Loss
Address distressing aspects of loss while respecting memory, meaning and continuing bonds.
Explore Grief SupportAnxiety and Fear
Explore experiences and predictions that continue to activate panic, worry, avoidance or fear.
Explore Anxiety SupportChildhood Experiences
Process painful experiences and beliefs that continue to affect identity, trust, relationships or boundaries.
Explore Childhood SupportRelationship Injuries
Work with memories of betrayal, rejection, conflict or loss that remain emotionally intense.
Explore Relationship SupportPain and Medical Experiences
Address traumatic experiences, fear and stress responses that may interact with health and pain.
Explore Chronic Pain SupportWhat an EMDR session may feel like.
There is no single experience. Responses can vary between people, targets and sessions.
Focused and collaborative
Your therapist guides the structure while you report what you notice and help determine the pace.
Less detailed talking may be required
You usually do not need to describe every detail aloud, though enough context is needed for safe assessment and treatment planning.
Emotions and sensations can arise
Processing may feel activating at times. Your therapist monitors the experience and uses preparation and closure strategies.
Changes can continue between sessions
You may notice dreams, memories, emotions or new insights. Your therapist can discuss what to track and how to care for yourself.
EMDR-GRIEF at Trauma & Grief Institute.
The EMDR Grieving Reconnection Integration and Enrichment Framework (EMDR-GRIEF©) was developed by social worker and therapist Krista Helman, who has trained clinicians around the world in this protocol, including clinicians at Trauma & Grief Institute.
The framework integrates EMDR techniques with grief theory to support processing while honouring meaningful connection, memory and the natural grieving process.
Explore Grief Therapy
Finding an EMDR therapist who fits.
Look for a clinician who has completed recognized EMDR training and whose professional scope, experience and approach align with your needs.
Ask about EMDR training and experience with your area of concern.
Discuss how the therapist approaches preparation, pacing and stabilization.
Confirm age ranges, fees, availability and virtual or in person options.
Questions about EMDR therapy.
No. EMDR is not intended to erase memory. The aim is for the experience to become less distressing and feel more connected with the past rather than continuing to overwhelm the present.
Not necessarily. EMDR may require less detailed narration than some forms of therapy. Your therapist still needs enough information to assess safety, understand the concern and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Often it does not. Early sessions commonly focus on history, assessment, preparation, resources and planning. Processing begins when you and your therapist determine that it is clinically appropriate.
Yes, some clinicians provide EMDR virtually using appropriate forms of bilateral stimulation and a plan suited to remote care. Availability depends on the clinician, your location and whether virtual treatment is appropriate for you.
EMDR is well known as a trauma treatment. Trained clinicians may also integrate it when working with grief, anxiety, painful relationship experiences and other concerns after assessing whether it fits the person and treatment goals.